Kenya's Athletic Prowess

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Kenya’s Athletic Prowess Athletics is a sport which has been in existence for a long time since it dates back to 776BCE.It comprises a variety of competitions such as track and field, race walking and cross country running. All this are undertaken by both men and women. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international body which governs athletics and it was formed in 1912. Kenya is an East African nation which is well known for her top athletics performance especially in middle and long distance running. Track and field athletics in Kenya is governed by Athletics Kenya (AK). This body was founded in 1951 as Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA). Since the 1960’s, many Kenyans have won Olympic medals and have …show more content…

In the 1972 Munich Olympic, the men’s 4*400m relay Kenyan team won the gold medal. In 1978,Henry Ronos set new world records in the men’s 3,000m flat, men’s 3,000m steeplechase, men’s 5,000m and the men’s 10,000m.Julius Korir won the men’s 3,000m steeplechase gold medal while Mike Musyoki won the men’s 10,000m bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics. John Ngugi was the first Kenyan to win the world cross country championships in 1986.At the 1987 world championships, Billy Konchella won the men’s gold medal while Doughlas Wakihuri won the men’s marathon and Paul Kipkoech won the men’s 10,000m gold medal. In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, John Ngugi won the men’s 5,000m gold medal, Julius Kariuki and Peter Koech won the men’s 3,000m steeplechase gold and silver medals respectively, Paul Ereng won the men’s 800m gold medal and Peter Rono won the men’s 1,500m gold …show more content…

In the 2016 Brazil Olympics, David Rudisha won the men’s 800m gold medal, Boniface Mucheru won the men’s 400m hurdles silver medal, Jemimah Sumgong won the women’s marathon gold medal, Conseslus Kipruto won the men’s 3,000m steeplechase gold medal. In the same Olympics; Faith Kipyegon won the women’s 1,500m gold medal, Vivian Cheruiyot won the women’s 5,000m gold medal and the women’s 10,000m silver medal while Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s marathon gold medal. Paul Tanui won the men’s 10,000m silver medal; Hyvin Jepkemoi won the women’s 3,000m steeplechase silver medal while Hellen Obiri won the women’s 5,000m silver medal. Margaret Wambui won the women’s 800m bronze medal and Julius Yego won the men’s javelin throw silver medal. In recent years, Kenya’s prowess in middle and long distance running has faced stiff competition from Ethiopia. There are also some foreign-based athletes such as Mohamed Farah who pose a threat to Kenya’s dominance in

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