Athletes from Team Kenya have arrived at home after coming third in the athletics medals table in Tokyo, behind the United States and Italy.
They took home ten medals – four gold, four silver, and two bronze – following a campaign that drew mixed reviews and yielded the fewest medals since Athens 2004.
Kenya was placed 19th overall in the world and first in Africa, with Uganda being the only other African country to place in the top four after winning four medals.
Kenya finished with a flourish after an unimpressive start to the Games, which saw Kenya fail to win gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase for the first time in nine editions.
Kenya won both marathons, with Eliud Kipchoge winning the final athletics event before Tokyo 2020 with a dominant performance in Sapporo, securing his second consecutive Olympic gold and sealing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
“I wanted to create a venue where the world could see what a great race this is. I’ve continued the tradition by winning the marathon for the second time in a row. After winning gold, Kipchoge said, “I hope to now assist encourage the future generation.”
Kipchoge became only the third person in history to retain their Olympic marathon championship with his performance in Sapporo.
The 36-year-old had previously won 10 races in a row, and his eighth-place finish raised concerns that he was fading.
After a triumph in the Netherlands in April, he allayed such fears. And any doubts about his ability were put to rest after his victory on Sunday in what could be his final Olympic Games.
He won the race in 2:08:38 and now owns two of the top five fastest marathon times in Olympic history.
Peres Jepchirchir had won a similar women’s race the night before, outdueling compatriot Brigid Kosgei in the final minutes to win Kenya’s second gold medal in the event in a row.
*This article was written by Caleb Mwikya for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews@gmail.com to submit your story.
