'Maybe a miracle happens' — Ezekiel Kemboi's stark warning on Kenya's steeplechase glory

Legendary Kenyan steeplechaser believes Kenya still has a long way before reclaiming their Olympic and World Championships glory especially on the men’s side.

Kemboi was one of Kenya’s most decorated steeplechasers having won four world titles (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015) and two Olympic titles (2004 and 2012) and since his retirement, Kenyans have struggled to make a name for the event once dubbed as a ‘Kenyan’ event.

had started coming up well, winning two world titles and one Olympic title but injuries slowed him down and he has faced a lot of challenges in his return journey.

Mo Farah has reflected on his toughest career race, crediting his Kenyan rival for pushing him to his limits.

Now the mantle is on the likes of bothers Amos and , Abraham Kibiwott and Simon Kiprop Koech to bring glory but Kemboi believes they don’t have the capacity to stop two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali and world record holder Lamecha Girma just yet.

“In Kenya, no, maybe a miracle happens but for now, we are going there (the Paris Olympic Games) to be number three,” Ezekiel Kemboi said in a past interview with Sports Wave African Foundation.

“To me, El Bakkali is very strong, Lamecha is very strong and there are other good Ethiopian athletes and it’s up to our Kenyan athletes to plan well, otherwise, we shall struggle. As for now, there is no potential and maybe we give the Ethiopian and Moroccan another three or four years from now.”

At the , Abraham Kibiwott fought hard for a third-place finish as Ezekiel Kemboi had predicted and he insisted that there is not much to be done since it will take about three or four years to train athletes for the tough task.

He explained that coaches need to identify fresh talent and ensure the youngsters are trained effectively ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games, noting that it’s the only closest times that Kenyans can take what was once theirs.

“Let the coaches go and identify young athletes to train them for another four or three years and then we plan after four years from now, that’s for the next Olympic Games,” he added.

Elaine Thompson-Herah has been a victim of injuries and at one point in her career, she felt like there was no need to keep trying.

Kemboi believes the women have the potential to make strong comebacks owing to the fact that there is not much competition and their only opponent might be Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi.

Yavi has been a nightmare to the Kenyans, showing them dust at the 2023 in Budapest, Hungary and the Paris Olympic Games but Kemboi is confident that they will rise before the men do.

Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich is one of the prospects to win Kenya a medal at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan and all eyes will be on her. World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech will also be eyeing a spot in the medal bracket after a few setbacks.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce remains focused on fulfilling her dream of running faster times before retiring, despite speculation that the Paris Olympics might be her final appearance.