Kenya once again stood at the top of the podium after finishing the Paris 2024 Olympics as the best African nation in the prestigious games held in the French capital from 26 July to August 11.
The athletes chosen managed a total of 11 medals in France, an improvement of their showing in Tokyo where they were also the best-ranked African side.
Kenya collected 10 medals back in Tokyo, ranking 19th overall with four gold, four silver, and two bronze in contrast to Paris where the team moved to 17th globally with four gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800 meters), Beatrice Chebet (5000 meters and 10,000 meters) and Faith Kipyegon (1500 meters) won gold, while Kipyegon (5000 meters) and Kwemoi Ronald (5000 meters) secured silver.
The bronze winners were Benson Kipruto (Marathon), Hellen Obiri (Marathon), Faith Cherotich (3000m Steeplechase), Kibiwot Abraham (3000m Steeplechase) and Mary Moraa (800m).
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Kenya medal tally at Paris 2024 Olympics
Kenya matched their Tokyo 2020 gold medal tally in Paris (4) but bagged more medals in total (11 vs 10) with 4 GOLD, 2 SILVER and 5 BRONZE. (4-2-5 vs 4-4-2). Once again, all the Kenyan medals came from athletics.
Kenya lost both its marathon gold medals but secured 5000m (W) and 10,000m (W) gold medals which were not in Tokyo.
The Steeplechase bronze medals were successfully defended.
Faith Kipyegon (1500m) was the only athlete in Paris who defended her Tokyo 2020 Gold.
Team Kenya delegation leader Shadrack Maluki commended the athletes for their dedication during the games even as he called on the government to move Kenyan sports away from its overreliance on talent only.
“We have given it our all as a country. We need to thank our athletes for literally giving it all for their motherland,” said the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.
“It was not an easy Olympics because we saw the application of technology by countries while we relied on raw talent. It is high time we embraced technology.
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Going forward, NOCK, together with the government, will work together to ensure that whatever is needed to improve our sport is provided to our athletes,” he stated.
After Kenya in 17th place, the next African side was Algeria who were in position 39 with 2 gold and 1 bronze medal.
South Africa rounded off the top three as they sat in 44th overall having managed one gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.
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