Assessing Kenya's athletics trajectory: past, present and future

The triumphant return of Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa from the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, reignites the nation's spirits, but it is also crucial to assess the trajectory of Kenyan athletics, what went wrong in certain disciplines, and how the landscape of global competition is evolving. 

In fact, Faith Kipyegon's spectacular achievements in the 1500m and 5000m have exemplified Kenya's potential to dominate the middle and long-distance events. Her words, "Expect more," echo the sentiment of an athlete determined to inspire the young generation. 

"Expect more, I want to work hard and empower young generation, young athletes in Kenya to know that you can do wonders. Don't limit yourselves" said Kipyegon, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday evening, upon return from the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

However, in contrast to Kenya's historical dominance, recent years have witnessed changes in the competitive landscape. Ethiopia and Uganda have emerged as formidable rivals, particularly in the 10000m event, raising the red-flag and genuine questions on what Kenya needs to do to fend off these new threats.

For years, Kenya's athletes have showcased exceptional performance in various events. From the 3000m steeplechase, where Conseslus Kipruto clinched gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, to Julius Yego's ground-breaking victory in javelin in 2015, Kenyan athletes have left an indelible mark on the track and field scene.

Conseslus Kipruto's victory in the 2019 World Championships in Doha was indeed Kenya's last gold medal in the men's 3000m steeplechase. Kenya has historically been dominant in this event, but in recent years the gold medal has been out of reach for our heroes and heroines.

Yet, Kenya's gold medal haul in the steeplechase and javelin events has faltered since those victories. While Conseslus Kipruto's triumph was a moment of pride, Kenya has struggled to replicate that success. Julius Yego's failure to sparkle in recent assignments has left the country exposed, as far as the discipline is concerned, and Yego was gracious enough, telling the athletics bosses to groom upcoming talents for future events.

Vivian Cheruiyot's gold in 2015 marked Kenya's last victory in the 10000m, with Ethiopia and Uganda's runners securing the top spots in the women's and men's categories respectively.

Contributing factors

Several factors have contributed to Kenya's challenges in certain disciplines. The decline in the 10,000m event could be attributed to the emergence of stronger competitors, evolving training methods which included demand for greater endurance, speed as well as the "science aspect" of the sport, as best captured by Sport Permanent Secretary Peter Tum.

"The coaches who coached these people did a very good job. The only problem that I realised is the science aspect of it and the science will only be found when we seat together in a training camp for a longer period of time," said Tum who was present to welcome the athletes back home.

And as the athletic world turns its gaze towards the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kenya's athletes have an opportunity to redeem themselves. Young talents like Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who have already exhibited promising performances, offer a glimmer of hope. Their successes, coupled with the support of the government and sports bodies, can potentially pave the way for a resurgence in Kenyan athletics.

Faith's  call for empowerment of young girls underscores the importance of creating an environment where aspiring athletes can thrive. Investments in training facilities, coaching programs, and exposure to international competitions are vital for nurturing emerging talents.

"We hope they (government) will support us going forward to empower young girls because we have young girls. You saw the young Faith (Cherotich)in the steeplechase and we hope to see more Faith coming to Olympics to 2024 in Paris," said Kipyegon.