The Beijing Olympic Games entered its ninth day Saturday, but for many Kenyans, the games seem to have just begun.
The advent of the athletics program has taken Kenyans interest in the games a notch higher. Enthusiastic citizens have been flocking social places to watch live coverage of athletics events from the Bird's Nest, which Kenyans have described as unprecedented piece of modern architecture.
The National Stadium in Beijing evokes fond memories in the heart of Kenyans as Kenya's two national stadia were constructed by Chinese.
Kasarani Sports Complex and Nyayo Stadium in the capital city of Nairobi have been the bastion of athletics in Kenya and it is in the latter arena where the national trials to select a team to the games were held.
At Sadili Oval, a sport club on the outskirts of Nairobi, people have been gathering twice a day, in the morning and afternoon to share the excitement as they follow the games from a giant screen.
On Friday, it was all thrills as the full houses watched the country's two gallant daughters win their respective heats in the 800m.
With steaming mugs of tea to ward off the morning cold in their hands, the spectators threw all caution to the wind as they cheered 18-year-old Pamela Jelimo and world champion Janeth Jepkosgei to victory in their respective races.
The decibels rose with every meter as the athletes approached the tape. When they crossed the line it was all song and dance as the fans gave the runners a standing ovation.
Joseph Mwangi could not hide his admiration for the ladies whom he suggested should be honored nationally.
"Such moments make me feel proud to be a Kenyan. If the trend continues then we should be talking about gold and silver of the women's 800m," said the 26-year-old college student on vacation.
Teenager Jelimo, nicknamed "Kapsabet Express" after her Rift Valley hometown, looks unstoppable in the women's 800 meters.
She is poised to become the first Kenyan to win an IAAF Golden Jackpot following victories in Berlin, Oslo, Rome and Paris.
At some point a heated argument ensues who between the two will win the gold, but Rono Mutai, 39, who described himself as a patriot, pacifies the protagonists by reminding them that it was not the opportune time to engage in such arguments because whoever wins shall have done so for the country.
The proprietor of the place, Liz Odera, says she does not mind the noise as people cheer their countrymen and women to victory.
"This is not the time for niceties. The Olympic Games come once in four years and the waiting has been long. Let them have the fun of their lifetime," says Odera.
The scenario repeated in the afternoon session. With cold sodas and beer for company, the group reconvenes to, as Paul Ouma puts it, "touch base with our heroes in Beijing."
Kenya has won 54 Olympic medals in athletics since 1956 and is confident of adding to that haul in Beijing.
The Tacos restaurant located at the city center almost came down when Asbel Kiprop and Eunice Jepkorir register victories in their 1500m and 3000m meters steeplechase heats respectively.
"I have taken off from work until the Games end. I am a sports enthusiast and there was no way I would have concentrated at work with the games going on without me watching," says a man, who only reveals his name as "Mato."
"We are also eyeing a sweep of the medals in the men's 3000 steeplechase with defending champion Ezekiel Kemboi and world champion Brimin Kipruto leading the way," the 35-year-old Mato said.
He says world marathon champion Luke Kibet is also a strong candidate for gold along with Augustine Choge who won the Commonwealth Games 5000m title two years ago.
"To me, Olympics has just started. We are going to win more medals in the athletics. We have a strong team, possibly equal in strength to the great team of Seoul and our team of 1968," says David Njuguna as he sips a bottle of beer.
Njuguna told Xinhua that the marathon team also boasts of Robert Cheruiyot, who won the inaugural World Marathon Masters, Japan-based world half-marathon record holder, Samuel Wanjiru and three-time London winner Martin Lel.
"The women's marathon also provides a strong chance of medals with world champion Catherine Ndereba and Selina Kosgei in the field. We are going to dominate Olympic this weekend," the 40-year- old Njuguna says.
(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)
