Kenyan sprinters aiming for medals in Paris Olympics

With only 25 days remaining to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Kenya's sprinters have intensified training in a bid to make a significant impact on the global tracks.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, Zablon Ekwam and Wiseman Were are the three sprinters that have qualified for the Paris Olympics in 100m, 400m and 400m hurdles respectively.

Omanyala says he is aiming for a spot on the podium, as he is confident his new training techniques being implemented by his coach, Geoffrey Kimani, will bear fruit.

“There is a model that I have been taught, I was a bit scared but I tried it in the trials and it worked, meaning I'm adopting that model. So, I'm hoping to see how I'm going to run with that model when we are under pressure,” noted Omanyala.

Zablon Ekwam, set to compete in the 400m, emphasized the significance of upcoming races in Belgium and Italy, which he considers essential for evaluating his progress.

“We are just trying to sharpen the edges to ensure we get the speed right. I'm having two races in Belgium and Italy. Those races are going to show me exactly where I am,” explained Ekwam.

Wiseman Were, who won a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with the 4x400m relay team, remains optimistic about his chances of reaching the finals in the 400m hurdles.

“This season we have managed to run 48, looking to Paris with good race plan and the speed we are going to put in together, I'm going to get a 47. I'm looking forward (to) seeing myself in finals. I'm set and ready to go,” he said confidently.

The Kenyan team will head to Miramas, France on Wednesday next week to continue their intensive training camp.