Kenyan athletes react to Olympics postponement

With Kenya having established itself as a global sporting powerhouse, the postponement of the Olympic Games is set to affect many  athletes who had set their sights to the Summer Games that were due for July 24-August 9 in Tokyo, Japan.

Following a series of engagements between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Local Organizing Committee of the Games, a resolution was reached on Tuesday to postpone the Games until 2021 over the spread of coronavirus.

The global showpiece thus becomes the latest sporting event to be postponed as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the global sporting activities.

After the announcement of the the postponement of the Games, here is how some of Kenyan athletes reacted.

“All in all, a very wise decision to postpone the Olympics until 2021. I look forward to come back to Japan to defend my Olympic title next year and look forward to witness a wonderful event. I wish everybody good health in these challenging times,” said Olympics marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge posted on his Facebook page.

“It’s been all fun and smiles and happiness preparing for this years Tokyo Olympics but then the unexpected came- Covid -19, terrible and scaring respiratory disease but its all upon us to compete against…,” said Olympics Javelin silver medalist Julius Yego on twitter.

“Of course, it is very hard for us as athletes but we have to understand the situation at the moment because at the end of the day our health comes first,” Olympics 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon told Citizen Digital.

“We welcome the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games that were scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9. This is good for our athletes as they now have time to settle psychologically and prepare well,” said legendary athlete Paul Tergat who is also the president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.