London 2012 Olympics : Kenya’s Athletic fiasco

Copyright : Panoramic

The great lessons to learn from the London 2012 Olympic Games is first of all Africa’s slump on the medal table compared to the last edition four years ago and then Kenya’s relative fiasco in athletics, the one discipline that fetches medals the most for the East African country in international competitions. The slump however is tinged with some excellent surprises — Algeria’s unexpected gold in the 1500m through Taoufik Makhloufi and the incredible performance of the 23 year old Stephen Kiprotich from Uganda. In the 800m, Botswana’s Nijel Amos also impressed the world with his silver medal as he came after Kenya’s record breaker, David Rudisha. What is most hurting for Africa and particularly for Kenya is the poor performance in the middle distance races, the 5000m and 10000m. Great Britain’s Farah Mohammed seized the gold medal in both events with stunning athletic skills. The results were equally worrying for Africa in the Women’s 800m as Pamela Jelimo let gold slip through her fingers to the advantage of Sally Pearson from Australia. The story was not different in the 1500m where Kenya’s Nancy Lagat lost gold. Whereas there were big names in the sport like Abeba Aregawi and Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia) and even Hellen Osando Obir (Kenya) to defend Africa. In total, Africa lost four golds and one silver in athletics at the London 2012 Olympics compared to Beijing 2008 tally with Kenya bearing the brunt of that deficit more than their rival, Ethiopia who remained stable. However, if we were to consider only athletes who got to the finals, Africa stayed within the loop with at least one sprinter figuring among the first eight especially in the ladies. But the disappoint from the ladies still lingers on as none brought gold in the 100m and 200m events. Even the Botswanaa lady and world champion in the 400m, Amantle Montsho did not perform any better. South African javelin thrower, Sunette Viljoen, who holds the best record of this year, was fourth placed at the 2012 Olympics. Perhaps it is Algeria and Tunisia’s Habiba Ghribi, who wiped Africa’s tears with their brilliant performance in track and field events. All medals won by Africans at the 2012 Olympics. Men Gold : David Rudisha (800 m, Kenya), Taoufik Makhloufi (1500 m, Algeria), Ezekiel Kemboi (3000 m steeple, Kenya), Stephen Kiprotich (marathon, Uganda), Silver : Nijel Amos (800 m, Botswana), Abel Kiprop Mutai (3000 m steeple, Kenya), Dejen Gebremeskel (5000 m, Ethiopia), Abel Kirui (marathon Kenya). Bronze: Thomas Longosiwa (5000 m, Ethiopia), Timothy Kitum (800 m, Kenya), Wilson Kipsang (marathon, Kenya), Abdelaati Iguider (1500 m, Morocco); Women Gold: Meseret Degfar (5000 m, Ethiopia), Tiki Gelana (marathon, Ethiopia), Silver: Vivian Cheruiyot (5000 m, Kenya), Priscah Jeptoo (marathon Kenya), Sally Kipyego (10 000 m, Kenya), Caster Semenya (800m, South Africa); Habiba Ghribi (3000 m steeple, Tunisia) Bronze: Tirunesh Dibaba (5000m, Ethiopia), Vivian Cheruiyot (10 000 m, Kenya), Sofia Asefa (3000 m steeple, Ethiopia),