Kenya leads Africa with 13 medals at Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The 2016 Rio Olympics came to a close with Kenya leading Africa with 13 medals 6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze.

Kenya’s 80 athletes’ efforts and brilliance was manifested by the country winning both marathons at the Rio Games. Jemima Sumgong won the women’s marathon, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win a gold medal in the 42 kilometer event and Eliud Kipchoge’s triumph on Sunday in the men’s marathon in 2 hours, 08 minutes and 44 seconds.

Faith Chepng’etich amazed World champion and record holder Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba for women’s 1,500m victory.

Conseslus Kipruto defended Kenya’s dominance with victory in men’s 3,000m that has remained with Kenya since 1984.

Vivian Cheruiyot never disappointed by winning her first victory at the Olympics, stunning favourite Almaz Ayana from Ethiopia in 5,000m.

Boniface Mucheru, made history as the first Kenyan to win an Olympic silver medal in 400m hurdles.

David Rudisha ‘King David’ demolished his rivals in the 800 metres to become the first man since 1964 to retain his Olympic title over the distance. He is now the world champion and world record holder.

Julius Yego, the reigning World and Commonwealth champion, was forced to settle for silver in men’s javelin after he got injured on his second throw.

This was a massive improvement from the 2012 London Olympics, where the country won 12 medals — two gold, four silver and six bronze.

Kenya topped in Africa but would settle for position overall, behind winners USA with 43 gold, 37 silver and 37 bronze medals.

South Africa was second in Africa (30), Ethiopia (43), Ivory Coast (49), Algeria (53), Burundi (57), Niger (57), Egypt (59), Tunisia (59) Morocco and Nigeria tying at 61.

206 nations participated with 42 from Africa.

However, Kenya’s victory has not been easy. It was met with a lot of disappointments from the management board to the Sports ministry.

President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement said, “Despite many challenges, the Olympic spirit thrives, inspiring billions of people in all continents to rise to their full potential and celebrate achievement.”

“Our team has delivered the finest Olympic performance by TeamKenya in history. For a country with a long and distinguished Olympic tradition, this is a truly remarkable feat.”

Together with the Former Prime Mister Raila Odinga, they are calling for answers over what transpired before and during the Olympics.

“The problems which frustrated many sportspeople on international assignment go a long way to erode incentives for our athletes to proudly turn up in Kenyan colours and win. They should be, and will be a thing of the past very shortly. We will ensure that lessons are learnt, questions are answered, action is taken and full accountability achieved. Every Kenyan must take their responsibilities seriously and be ready to face the consequences of their actions,” said President Uhuru.

“As a country, we owe these athletes an explanation on why they had to make do with so much disorganization and be exposed to so shame while on this significant international duty. The government must get to the bottom of the shoddy preparations and scandals that dogged our team in Rio. We must use this one debacle to send a very clear message that this is the last time Team Kenya will ever be pulled down by corruption and mismanagement,” said Raila Odinga.

Kenya first participated at the Olympic Games in 1956, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except for the boycotted 1976 and 1980 Games.