- Title: KENYA: Colourful send-off for Kenya's Olympic team, cash awards promised
- Date: 29th July 2008
- Summary: OLYMPIC TEAM MEMBERS SEATED UNDER A TENT 800 METERS ATHLETE PAMELA JELIMO 800 METERS ATHLETE JANET CHEPKOSGEY (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA'S PRESIDENT, MWAI KIBAKI, SAYING: "In conclusion ladies and gentlemen I take this opportunity to thank all the people who have prepared our national team to the Olympic games." VARIOUS OF KIBAKI SHAKES HANDS WITH ATHLETES JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA'S PRESIDENT, MWAI KIBAKI, SAYING: "In addition to this, the government is providing funds to award every medal winner. Accordingly, any one of you who wins a gold medal will receive a cash award of 750,000 shillings." KIBAKI HANDS NATIONAL FLAG TO TEAM MEMBERS OLYMPIC MEMBER WAVES FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, KIPCHOGE KEINO, SAYING: "I cant say anything at the moment but the most important thing is to take part, but they are going to do their best and come up with a good result." OLYMPIC TEAM MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS POSE FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
- Embargoed: 13th August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAB68LYW8GA5N3WXXS2XM7VVA2Y
- Story Text: Kenya's Olympics team got a colourful send off on Monday (July 28) just days before the the first batch of teams head to Beijing later in the week.
The country's hopes lie mainly on the athletics team, which boasts strong, young and experienced athletes who observers say can only be compared to the team that took part in the 1968 Mexico Games and in Seoul two decades ago.
Pamela Jelimo is one of the favourites to take gold after clocking the fastest 800 metres for nearly 11 years in Berlin in June.
Draped in Kenya's signature red and black colours, the team was hosted at State House by Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki.
"In conclusion ladies and gentlemen I take this opportunity to thank all the people who have prepared our national team to the Olympic games," said Kibaki.
The athletics team will go to Beijing on the August 11, later than other teams, due to humid weather in the Chinese capital, which coaches fear may affect the athletes adversely.
The government offered incentives for good performance at these Olympics, promising cash prizes for those who win medals.
"In addition to this, the government is providing funds to award every medal winner. Accordingly, any one of you who wins a gold medal will receive a cash award of 750,000 shillings (11,114 US Dollars)," said Kibaki.
Earlier in the year, Kenya suffered its worst violence following a fiercely disputed presidential poll. More than 1000 people were killed and over 300,000 displaced.
Several athletes were affected by the unrest, especially in the Rift Valley, one of the areas worst hit and which is home and training ground for many of the athletes.
Kenya's Olympic officials are confident that the team will be as strong as ever.
"I cant say anything at the moment but the most important thing is to take part, but they are going to do their best and come up with a good result," said Kipchoge Keino the Chairman of the National Olympic Organizing Committee.
Kenyan runners are best known for middle and long distance races. They are expected to face strong competition from their neighbours to the north, Ethiopia, who hold the titles for 500 and 10,000 metres races. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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