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NFO
Team Kenya for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are under pressure to deliver better results after a poor outing at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games where they only managed a bronze medal.
Tokyo was the worst Paralympics Games for Kenya with only Nancy Chelangat winning a medal, a bronze, a poor return compared to Rio 2016 when they managed six medals, three gold a silver and two bronze.
The team is thrilled by a much better experience in the French capital which is giving them hope of a batter performance.
The US sprinter was not impressed by his 100m race despite claiming victory ahead of Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake in Poland on Sunday.
“Technology has improved with easy movement at the village and the training venues,” said Chelangat, who is making her third appearance at the Games, after winning silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo in the 1,500m T11.
Team captain Samuel Mushai, who is making his fourth appearance, hoping to reclaim his 5,000m T11 (completely blind) title, after missing the Tokyo Games, shared the same sentiments.
“The facilities are quite different with more goodies for the team like mobile phones and quality kit from Asics. One feel proud being in charge of such a highly motived team,” said the 2012 London 1,500m T11 and 2016 Rio 5,000m T11 gold medallist.
Former Under 20 World Champion almost handed the Moroccan a rare defeat in steeplechase
Taekwondo players Julieta Moipo and Stency Neema are also eyeing success in Paris.
“This is now real. I tried to qualify in badminton and athletics but I couldn’t,” said Neema while his colleague Maipo just want to make his community proud.
“I just want to make my Samburu people proud by winning a medal for them. That is my Paris dream,” admitted Mopipo.
Olympics 400m champion Marileidy Paulino is the latest to sign up for the lucrative women’s-only track event set to be graced by Gabby Thomas and Faith Kipyegon in New York next month.
Debutant John Lokedi, who will be competing in the 5,000m T13 (partially blind) is wowed by the different cultures at the Games.
“I have never seen so many people from different culture, tribe and race. This is the first time I am receiving a full competition and travelling kit,” said Lokedi.
Team Kenya have already arrived at the Athletes’ Village ahead of the Games which begin on Wednesday and have been boosted by a kit deal with Japanese manufacturer Asics which hopes to serve them on the long-term.
The veteran middle-distance runner was in awe of Jakob Ingebrigtsen’ new world record after the Norwegian smashed the 28-year mark set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen.
Kenya’s best Paralympics performance was in Beijing 2008 when they won nine medals, five gold, three silver and a bronze.