Ruto calls for continuous improvement to build on Kenya's Olympic success

Ruto calls for continuous improvement to build on Kenya's Olympic success amid increasing competition

President William Ruto has called for a stronger sports framework to build on the success of Kenyan athletes.

While hosting the Paris 2024 Olympics team at State Lodge, Eldoret, Ruto recognised the relentless commitment and sacrifices made by the athletes.

"Even in the face of challenges, our athletes never lose sight of the finish line and will fight for glory to the tape," he said on Thursday.

Team Kenya bagged a total of 11 medals including 4 gold, two silver and 5 bronze at the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics.

While acknowledging the impressive performance of the Kenya team, the President also recognised that the potential remains immense.

He highlighted the increasing competition from countries with perfected skills similar to Kenya's.

"Our athletics are increasingly under encroachment from countries that have studied, learned, and perfected our skills to our detriment," Ruto warned.

To address these challenges, Ruto called for enhanced collaboration to improve Kenya's sports ecosystem.

"As a government, at both national and county levels, we must scale up our deliberate collaboration with all stakeholders, such as sports federations, to develop a sports policy framework that will address these gaps. This will help us progress our sport ecosystem to the place where we all want it to be," Ruto added.

State awards Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallists a cash prize of Sh3 million, silver medallists Sh2 million and bronze medallists Sh1 million. pic.twitter.com/VnMat9WfZl

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) August 15, 2024

The Head of State noted that every time the Kenyan flag was raised and the national anthem played, it was a moment of national pride.

"Sometimes we never understand the sacrifices that are made, the commitment that is put in place, and the determination over many hours, many days, weeks, months, and years for one to do that final minute dash and win," he said.

Continuous improvement

Despite celebrating the athletes' achievements, President Ruto also pointed out the need for continuous improvement.

"Our pride doesn't end there. As a country, we have set our standards and expectations extremely high when it comes to gold and championships and tournaments," he added.

The Kenya Team returned to the country on Tuesday night and on Thursday morning they landed at Eldoret Airport where they were welcomed by government officials led by Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi among others.

The athletes include Triple Olympic women's 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon, double gold medallist Beatrice Chebet and 800m runner Koitatoi Kidali.

Others were 800m gold medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto, and 5000m silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi.

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge was also among the team.

Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon leads Kenya's Olympic team members at the Eldoret State Lodge on August 15, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

President Ruto congratulated the athletes, highlighting that their victories represent more than just medals.

"Your victories are not just medals that you carry. They are symbols of our national character, a testament to what we can achieve when we believe in ourselves," he said.

"On behalf of every Kenyan, I am profoundly proud of you and grateful to you. You took the heart, soul, and spirit of your fellow countrymen to Paris and shone for our Motherland," Ruto added.

Team Kenya Captain at the Olympics, Faith Kipyegon, expressed that they gave their all in the highly competitive games.

She thanked the government for its support during their participation and also extended her appreciation to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the period.

"As team captain, I can say we gave it all but it was very competitive. Thank you for the opportunity to lead the team in Paris," Kipyegon.

"We are so grateful for the support from the government, the Ministry and Athletics Kenya and our fans from all over the world," she said.

Wise investment

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua advised Kenyan athletes who triumphed at the Olympic Games to invest their earnings wisely to avoid financial miscalculations that may result in poverty in their later years.

The DP said it will be disheartening to watch athletes who are now getting rewarded suffer in the future should they not invest wisely.

 "Please invest and invest well so that the name you carry is dignified in life. It will be very sad that after you have won medals at the Olympics, later on in life you start struggling. Please remember, invest well," Gachagua reiterated.

DP Rigathi Gachagua: This sport comes with some money and so please invest it well, so that the name that you carry is dignified throughout your life pic.twitter.com/nPR01QaLJe

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) August 15, 2024

At the same time, Gachagua implored parents and guardians to support the budding athletes. He argued that the country can tap into the sporting sector to create employment and sustain lives.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to revamp other sporting disciplines.

Murkomen indicated that the country has majorly depended on athletics, which is why the country came in 17th globally in the just concluded Paris Olympic Games.

The Sports CS promised to organise the sporting federations to empower more sportsmen ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in the US.

"Other countries are reaping so much gold, and it's because they have many other things, even archery, we should be able to participate. We know where the problem is. It's in the leadership of the federations. Most of the federations are not organised," Murkomen stated.

The matter of athletes languishing in poverty after retiring has been a matter of criticism towards the government following its failure to put elaborate plans on how to help the sportspersons manage their lives.

In 2022, Athletics Kenya Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau has called on Kenyan athletes to register with the national governing body for a pension plan.

While stressing AK's desire to protect retired athletes from financial problems caused by illness and old age, Kamau enumerated cases where athletes faced problems after retirement.

 "We have signed with the CPF to handle the athletes' pension plan. Coaches should encourage athletes to join the program. Next will be coaches and then leaders," Kamau said.

Kamau also asked the coaches to register officially with the local governing body to be officially recognized in their fields of expertise.

He added that AK has started to keep a database of local experts. "Last week we held a meeting with the sports registrar and it was made clear that the coach must remain a coach and not be a technical leader.