Kenya’s Paralympics team lands in Paris ready to rumble

The first batch of Paralympics team landed in Paris on Thursday with high hopes of improving the Tokyo Games performance that saw Kenya claim only one medal.

The team of 13 athletes and officials travelled straight to Team Kenya’s Paralympics camp in Compiegne where the squad will fine tune their skills before kick off on August 28.

Nancy Chelangat won Kenya a bronze medal in the women’s 1,500 T11 category three years ago in Tokyo, the first time since 1988 the country failed to win gold medal in Paralympics.

“I thank God for giving us journey mercies and enabling us to reach Paris safely. I also thank the Kenyan government for taking care of our needs as well and I can say we are ready for action, and will just be using the two-week training camp in Compiegne to polish up before we enter the Olympic Village on August 21,” Henry Kiprono Kirwa said.

Kiprono, who previously won a Paralympic gold medal before becoming a coach, added: “Preparation back at home was good; I thank the government for the facilitation. We have prepared very well, better than during previous Paralympic Games. The next batch of athletes which will be bigger arrives tomorrow.”

Athlete Mary Njoroge Waithera who competes in the women's T11 1500m said she was excited to be in her second Paralympic Games after making her debut during the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“At the Tokyo Olympics I didn’t do very well because I was still a young athlete without experience since it was my first ever Olympic Games, but I have now learnt a lot from my coaches and fellow athletes and I have prepared very well for the Paris Games. I am confident of a podium finish,” Njoroge who has a personal best time of 4 minutes and 49 seconds said.

Kenya’s Sports Director Jaxon Indakwa who received the team at the Charles De Guele airport said every plan in Compiegne was complete to ensure the Paralympic athletes are comfortable and have the best environment for training.

“The environment and facilities in Compiegne are good for the team’s training camp and the government has ensured that everything is in place even before they arrive,” Indakwa said.

Kenya will be represented by para-athletes in five disciplines at this year’s Games.

This is the largest contingent with athletes’ competing in various categories, including 1500m T11, 5000m T11, 5000m T13, 1500m t46, Long Jump T37 and Javelin F12.