KENYA: OLYMPICS - Confident of an even better performance than Beijing, Team Kenya departs for the London Olympics

Record ID: 362321

  • Title: KENYA: OLYMPICS - Confident of an even better performance than Beijing, Team Kenya departs for the London Olympics
  • Date: 30th July 2012
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JULY 30, 2012) (REUTERS) TEAM KENYA BUS WITH ATHLETES ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT VARIOUS OF ATHLETES AND OFFICIALS DISEMBARKING FROM THE BUS KENYAN HEAD COACH JULIUS KIRWA WITH HIS LUGGAGE MORE OF ATHLETES DISEMBARKING FROM THE BUS 800 METRES WORLD RECORD HOLDER DAVID RUDISHA TALKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) 800 METRES WORLD RECORD HOLDER AND TEA
  • Embargoed: 14th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAC82PB0ROAC80LO9GJ888CHTNM
  • Story Text: Kenya's formidable Olympic athletics squad departed Nairobi for London on Monday (July 30), hoping to surpass their achievements of the Beijing Games in 2008.
    Four years ago, Kenya won 14 athletics medals including six golds in events ranging from the 800 metres up to the marathon but the current team, led by captain and 800 metres world record holder David Rudisha, said there is optimism for an even better showing this time.

    "We are ok as a team. I am happy that during the time we have been training in Kasarani we had some smooth training because we did not have any problems with injuries so everybody is in good form so we expect to win many medals," said Rudisha who will be seeking his first Olympic medal.
    One of the six winners from 2008, 800-metre women's champion Pamela Jelimo said she was looking forward to defending her title.

    "Being a defending champion is a great pleasure but I believe in myself, the training I have done so far is great and what is important now is to be focused, be confident and relax and you accept the outcome," she said.
    Among the team of world record holders, world and Olympic champions is Olympic 2004 3,000-metre steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi who has been allowed to compete despite facing a charge of assault following an incident in Kenya last month.
    For Julius Kirwa, the team's head coach, he said that he was optimistic his squad can better their Beijing medal haul.

    "I hope we will go and do better than 2008 and we are ready for it that, the team is ok, we are well prepared, we are focused so we are ready for it," he said.
    The 5,000 metres and men's marathon athletes are remaining in Kenya for a little longer to continue training at high altitude.
    The London Olympics athletics programme starts on Friday (August 3).
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