As Kenya’s sprinters gear up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Africa 100m Champion Ferdinand Omanyala reflects on the lessons learned and the pressures faced. “Our sport humbles you,” the sprinter shared. “Everybody who is anybody in the sport has lost a race at some point. It’s not always about winning; it’s about how humble you remain.”
Acknowledging the high expectations for the upcoming Olympics, the athlete emphasized the importance of focusing on each race individually. “This year, I’m not giving anyone any targets or promises. Let’s handle each race as it comes, get through the heats, then the semis, and finally, the finals. Anything can happen.”
The sprinter also highlighted the support and guidance received from the coach Geoffrey Kimani. “Training with Kim has been intense but short, allowing me to balance athletics with my education. I’m excited to be entering my fourth year of school in September 2024, after the Olympics. I hope for your support at my graduation next year.”
Reflecting on the different training approach this year, the sprinter noted significant improvements. “This year, we got it right. We couldn’t peak multiple times a year, so we maintained our performance to peak when it matters. The tour in the US and Jamaica was a learning process. Even though there were challenges, it was a great experience.”
The sprinter remains optimistic to win the upcoming tournaments. “I’ve adopted a new model for my starts, and it worked well during the trials. I’m excited to see how it performs under pressure.”
