KENYA: ATHLETICS - Triumphant 800 metres champion Pamela Jelimo is welcomed home in Kenya

Record ID: 361261

  • Title: KENYA: ATHLETICS - Triumphant 800 metres champion Pamela Jelimo is welcomed home in Kenya
  • Date: 18th September 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SINGING (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) JELIMO DRINKING MILK FROM CALABASH
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3AAW4AILPD283M5S2W2WAUNI3
  • Story Text: Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo arrived at Nairobi's main airport to a hero's welcome on Tuesday (September 16).
    Jelimo became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal when she ran 1:54.87 to win the 800 meters final and set the World Junior record 1:54.01.

    "She is a hero, and that is known that she is a hero. She has done quite well, having the jackpot money is a pride to everyone of us, everyone of us is happy, the country is happy, the family is happy and the society as well," said John Kiptoo, a resident of Jelimo's home town in Kapsabet, Rift Valley.
    The 18-year-old millionaire went away with the IAAF Golden League $1 million jackpot in Brussels after a winning performance at the Beijing Olympics.
    The jackpot is awarded to athletes who win their event in all six of the season's athletics meetings.
    Jelimo said she intends to invest the money wisely and help her family.

    "The only thing I can say now is that I'm happy of what I have achieved and I pray that maybe in future if I plan well I will do even better," said Jelimo.
    Jelimo flew in from Stuttgart, Germany where she competed in the World Athletics Final capping an unbelievable track season with her 12th victory in the 800m race to pocket another 27,000 US Dollars (2 million Kenya shillings).

    "Jelimo has been running for only 6 months, she started actually in May and in those 6 months she has won all those races and made history in Africa and in the world, and Jelimo being only an 18-year-old the sky is the limit and we want to to assure you of all our support in the ministry and we are really behind you," said Kenya's minister of sports, Hellen Sambili.
    Jelimo has earned the nick name "Kapsabet Express" after her home town in Kenya's Rift Valley, where a massive homecoming party awaits her on Thursday.
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