Moraa and 800m compatriots promise fireworks at Paris Olympics

With just 14 days remaining until the highly anticipated Olympic Games in Paris,France, Kenya's 800m athletes, both men and women, are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to make a resounding impact on the global stage.

The women’s team will be led by world 800m champion Mary Moraa, who will team up with Lilian Odira and Vivian Chebet in their mission to deliver a clean sweep for Kenya.

The men’s team has world silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Wycliffe Kinyamal and Koitatoi Kidali; who qualified for the summer games in that order at the June trials.

The ever jolly Moraa has exuded confidence in the team's ability to excel, saying their preparations so far are so promising.

"We have been training diligently as a team. We are praying for strength from God so that we can reach the final and bring home medals. I feel ready for Paris. It has been three years of preparation and dedication with the focus being to get better results than in the previous edition," noted Moraa.

At the same time, Moraa has expressed her regrets that she will not be contesting for the gold against reigning champion Athing Mu of USA, who fell during the trials last month cutting short her dream to defend her title.

Mu made history as the youngest woman to hold an Olympic title in an individual track and field event after clocking 1:55.21 at the last Olympic edition in Tokyo, but will not be part of the Paris fiesta.

“He miss is a big blow to me. I was looking forward to race against her, because she is a tough opponent and no her presence would have made us work harder and possibly post faster times,” she said.

Moraa beat Mu during last year’s Word Chmapionships in Budapest – Hungary, as she won the title in 1:56.03 but insists there was more business to be settled between them, showing sympathy for the Sudan-born athlete.

“I like it when the competition is tough. It pushes me to surpass my limits,” she said.

In the men’s side, Kidali who will be making his Olympic debut has emphasised the critical importance of speed endurance in his training regimen.

"My body is responding well, and now I'm focusing on speed endurance because in the Olympics, endurance is crucial to navigate through all the races.”

Athletics Kenya middle distance coach Bernard Ouma is also happy with the preparations so far.

"The training has been rigorous and focused. Today, we concentrated on the 800m discipline, conducting race simulations and refining speed techniques, all part of our meticulous plan leading up to the Paris games," he explained 

In their final preparations, the Kenyan team will continue their intensive training camp in Miramas, France.