Kenya, Africa, serves up World Athletics Excellence in Kenya
Africa has long since been referred to as, ‘The Dark Continent’. This came with European conquest followed by slavery and colonialism.
In hindsight, it may well be m appropriate to declare that the historical artefacts continuously being brought to light by contemporary archaeologists, have thus far revealed that despite the decrepit declaration of Europeans, Africa became a ‘dark continent’ because of the conquest that they perpetrated on the peoples whom they met already in place at the time.
Black peoples across the globe, descendants of African nations, would do well to read the historic critique penned by Guyanese scholar, Walter Rodney, ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; to garner an understanding of the truth.
Too many Caribbean countries have adopted the Eurocentric perspective on the African continent and African peoples, pathetically dishonest. It is the awakening of consciousness that has, in the recent past, prompted many to ignore the rather politically prejudicial and selfishly projected appeal for compensation of the region’s political leaders and instead, demand the establishment of ‘Truth Commissions’ to facilitate access to all that really happened. Such Commissions are increasingly being deemed the single most important feature of contemporary leadership if we are to begin the process of healing that the Caribbean countries need as a foundation stone of genuine unity and development.
The time has come for us in the Caribbean to reject the lie that Africans do not have an interest in working with us in the region to construct a new world order which can be mutually beneficial.
Africa has produced some of the world’s best middle and long-distance as well as road and cross country runners of all time.
The world has never forgotten the feat of Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia who won two consecutive Olympic Marathons, Rome 1960 and Tokyo 1964. He was the first to ever achieve back-to-back Olympic Marathon victories. He won the first competing barefooted.
Ethiopia and Kenya have dominated distance running for decades. Other countries have followed their successes including Namibia and South Africa.
Kenya in global athletics
Kenya has an amazing history in athletics.
Many recall the legacy left by Kipchonge Keino, in the Summer Olympics, first in the 1500m (Mexico City, Mexico, 1968) and later in the 3000m Steeplechase (Munich, Germany, 1972). That was the beginning of a long list of outstanding middle and long-distance runners. Today, he remains the most famous of all Kenyan athletes, with his autobiography having been translated into 35 languages. He has also been a pioneer in creating a centre for young people interested in the sport to hone their skills whilst being educated.
Ben Jipcho followed in Keino’s footsteps as also did the almost indomitable marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge.
Wilson Kipketer is a legend most noted for the number of occasions on which he dominated the 800m, ten years.
Paul Tergat “became the first Kenyan man to set the world record in the marathon in 2003, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time. Runners World called him the ‘Most comprehensive runner of all time’.”
Other notable Kenyans include John Nugugi, best at the cross country.
Today’s remarkable Kenyan athlete is David Rudisha who has taken running the 800m to a new height. In London Olympics 2012, he posted a new world record, 1:40.91.
Of course, in the recent past Kenyan women have come to the fore, led by the indomitable, Lorna Kiplagat.
Kenya steps forward
In 2018, Kenya became the first African nation to host an edition of the World Athletics Championships. Back then, the country hosted the 10th World Athletics Youth Championships for athletes aged under 18 years.
For Africa, Kenya’s hosting of the aforementioned event was historic in several ways. It was the last time that the World Athletics Youth Championships took place. The international Federation stopped the event.
The 10th edition of the Youth Championships was the most successful of all held under the ambit of the international federation. There were several member federations from around the world in attendance. The competition also featured capacity crowds of 60,000 for each of the final two days in the Moi International Sports Centre. The most in the history of the event.
It came as no surprise therefore that Kenya raised its hand to host the 18th edition of the World Athletics U20 Championships (formerly the World Juniors) in 2020. Of course, the pandemic caused a postponement for this year, much like the case of the Quadrennial Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Keino, Kipketer and Rudisha were on hand for the Championships last week, lending their support to the motherland and the Kenyan athletes.
In the midst of the pandemic, the Kenyan government lent its full support to Athletics Kenya, the governing body for the sport.
Uhuru Muihai Kenyatta, President of Kenya, in his message to participating delegations stated, “Kenya is a country that prides itself with a vibrant athletics history and a population that loves track and field events. We are proud to be the ‘Home of Champions’ and hosting this event further cements our passion for Athletics.”
The message resonated with all participants as much as it did with the Kenyan people.
The President made known the country’s and government’s genuine commitment to the sport as an important vehicle for development and showcasing the immense progress that it has brought to the nation. Kenyatta declared, “We know that Kenyan sports have attracted the best talents in the country and our values of hard work and service are deeply entrenched in our athletes. My government will continue to support all sports disciplines to grow the diverse talents of the Kenyan youth. If we have talent out there, it is our responsibility to nurture and grow it.”
Kenya delivered
Of course, there were challenges for the Kenyan authorities. We are living under difficult times everywhere in the world. This is the second year into the pandemic and Kenya is at Level #4, the literal ‘red zone’. Still, 113 member federations from around the world sent athletes to support the host member federation of World Athletics, the African continent and the sport.
Accommodation and food were in abundance and received little by way of complaints.
Appropriately developed health protocols were in place throughout the Championships. This included, more than “5000 LAMP tests were conducted, over 4000 PCR tests …and round 10,000 antigen tests were conducted for LOC staff and volunteers, who were tested every day.”
Unfortunately, as was the case with Tokyo earlier, some athletes developed Covid-19 while at the competition.
World Athletics has rated the Championships in Kenya as highly successful. This is evidenced by the fact that four “world U20 records were established (Sasha Zhoya FRA in the 110m hurdles – 12.93 semifinals and 12.72 final; Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m relay – 42.94; South Africa in the men’s 4x100m relay – 38.51).”
The competition also saw 15 Championship records and 11 Area U20 records established.
Additionally, athletes set “68 national U20 records, 10 national senior records and a total of 259 personal bests”
Statisticians at World Athletics revealed, “18 countries won gold medals (9 from Europe, 6 from Africa, 3 from the Americas), 35 won medals and 63 countries finished in top 8 (point scoring position). Israel and Namibia have their first-ever world U20 champions (Yonathan Kapitolnik in the men’s high jump and Christine Mboma in the women’s 200m). Cyprus won its first medal (Styliana Ioannidou, bronze in the women’s high jump) and Hong Kong China, Kosovo, Malta, Oman and South Sudan have had their first finalists.”
The old and the new
As the curtains came down on the latest edition of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi on Sunday evening, there were some familiar achievers as well as some new ones that eagerly graced the podium.
Kenya did a repeat of their performances in Finland in 2018. The host country’s athletes emerged at the top of the table of success with a total of eight gold, one silver and seven bronze medals. Finland finished second with Nigeria third and Ethiopia fourth.
Caribbean countries were led by Jamaica which finished in 5th with three gold, six silver, two bronze medals. Cuba finished 15th with one gold and two bronze medals.
Outstanding performances did come from some member federations that set down challenges for the traditionalists going forward. One of these was Botswana whose athletes won three gold medals and one silver medal. Many thought that had it not been for a false start in the 4 x 100m relay semi-finals, Botswana could easily have captured gold in both the male relays.
It was not just that the athletes’ medal total. Instead, it was the manner in which they won their medals, showing that they have put much effort and resources into their development strategy.
Namibia, which has been struggling for some time, bounced back at these Championships winning one gold and three silver medals, through their female athletes.
Nigeria showed that whatever problems have been plaguing its seniors, the junior athletes have been part of a rebuilding effort in athletics. Of the seven medals that earned them third overall, four were gold with the others being bronze.
The absence of the USA could possibly have meant that their athletes would have won some medals. However, they did not lead the medal count in 2018 and many doubt that they would have bettered Kenya in the latter’s backyard.
The future
For the very first time, St Vincent and the Grenadines got through to the semi-final stage of the 800m at the World Athletics U20 Championships, through the performances of Handal Roban.
Roban has been consistently improving through this year and the Championships in Kenya was no exception. In both the first round (1:49.41) and the semi-final (1:48.37), Roban broke his own and the national U20 800m record. He was also the highest-ranked Caribbean athlete in the event with only one Canadian being the NACAC athlete to be ahead of him by six places.
There is little doubt that Vincentian athletes are headed in the right direction and we can expect better in the future.
