National Olympics Committee of Kenya secretary general Francis Mutuku is optimistic about Kenya's prospects at the upcoming Paris Olympics following a stellar weekend performance by Kenyan athletes in Europe.
On Sunday, Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon shattered her 1,500m world record, clocking an astonishing 3:49.04 at the Paris Diamond League.
The new time eclipses her previous best by 0.07 seconds, set in Florence in June 2023.
Australia’s Jessica Hull placed second in 3:50.83 with Great Britain’s Laura Muir completing the podium in 3:53.79 in Paris.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a new personal best of 1:41.58 in the men's 800m in Paris to finish second behind Algeria's Djamel Sedjati, who clocked a world-leading 1:41.56.
Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, won the 100m race at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, with a time of 10.01 seconds.
USA's Ronnie Baker (10.03) and Canada's Andre De Grasse (10.07) rounded out the podium.
"We pray that Kenya's performance over the weekend is a sign of great things to come at the Paris Olympics," Mutuku said.
"We congratulate Faith for smashing yet another record and Omanyala for his great performance in Hengelo. Wanyonyi also gave an excellent performance," he added.
Mutuku spoke Monday evening as the Sports CS, Ababu Namwmba and the NOCK flagged off the national rugby team, Shujaa, to their training camp in Miramas, southern France.
"We are happy to flag off Shujaa to the Miramas camp as the first Kenyan team," Mutuku noted.
The women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, will be the second batch when they travel on Thursday. They jetted back on Monday night from the Philippines, where they featured in the FIVB Challenger Cup.
"We wanted Malkia Strikers to travel with the rugby team but the technical bench wanted to gauge the players' preparedness during the Challenger Cup in the Philippines, which will inform the selection of the final squad," he said.
"The sprinters will travel on Thursday while the judo player (Zeddy Cherotich) and field event athlete (Julius Yego — javelin) leave for Miramas on Wednesday."
"The middle and long-distance athletes will travel straight to Paris, compete and pass through Miramas on their way back," added Mutuku.
He said Miramas will be key in helping the athletes acclimatise to the summer conditions in Europe and put in their final touches in excellent training facilities.
Ababu said Shujaa have had a remarkable year, especially after fighting their way back to the World Sevens Series.
He expects them to use that as inspiration when they become the first Kenyan team onto the pitch on July 24.
"The flag presented to you by the President, William Ruto, on Friday is a symbol of our oneness and unity as Team Kenya. You will be competing under a single identity, Team Kenya," Ababu stated.
"We are all rallying behind you. Go shine, fly our flag and represent us in the sterling style that has come to be associated with Team Kenya at the Olympics."
