President Uhuru Kenyatta challenges Team Kenya ahead of Rio Olympic Games

President Uhuru Kenyatta hands over the Kenyan flag to Team Kenya yesterday at State House, Nairobi ahead of the Rio Olympics. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

 “Go out there and prove to the world that we can win clean,” that was the message from President Uhuru Kenyatta to Team Kenya during yesterday’s flagging off ceremony ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Kenya has entered its largest ever contingent of 185 athletes and officials in seven disciplines, three times more than those who competed at the 2014 London Olympics ago where they won 11 medals (two gold, four silver and five bronze).

Kenya Sevens Rugby team will be the first batch of athletes leaving for Brazil tomorrow morning.

Unconfirmed reports late yesterday, however, said that high jumper Mathew Sawe and the men 4X400m relay team might not travel to Rio as their qualifying marks have not been approved by the International Olympic Committee.

Team Kenya’s preparation has been tainted by doping allegations and the country was nearly locked out of the Rio Games after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) declared Kenya non-compliant.

But having signed the Amended Anti-Doping Bill into law last month, paving way for Wada to review Kenya’s compliance with its code, Uhuru has challenged the athletes to go to Rio and prove their critics wrong.

“To our great athletes, who have done us proud, just go out there and show the world what Kenya can do and show them that we do it clean. But the most important one is even not the gold, but show them we can win clean,” Uhuru said at State House yesterday.

“We send you out in good faith, pray for you and believe you will come back with glory and victory. But even if you don’t, come back with pride for having competed clean. As you conquer the world of athletics and sports, and as our flag is raised high, we hope our anthem will be played again and again.

“We have greater expectations in this young women and men, there would be no better occasion to see them off than this one — the Presidential Awards. I know from those athletes here (Julius Yego, Ezekiel Kemboi, David Rudisha and everybody else), they don’t need drugs to win, they can win and we know they can win clean,” he added.

The president further urged the athletes to make Kenyans proud.

“I know the athletes who have assembled here today are putting in immense efforts as well as sacrifice to meet the qualification requirements. As you proceed to the Olympics, you bear not only your dreams and aspirations but also the expectations and aspirations of 40 million Kenyans. You are the ambassadors of this nation and none of us has any doubt that you are able to perform brilliantly, honourably and with great integrity,” he said.

“All I can ask of you is to avoid spoiling our hard-earned sporting reputation. Kenya has always had a strong tradition of proud, clean, successful competition in the Olympics. Indeed there is no time to waste this heritage, instead make your brothers proud of their nation and flag. I encourage each one of you to rise to the occasion and excel, this flag is a sign of reminder that all Kenyans will be closely following you in Brazil.”

His sentiments were echoed by National Olympic Commitee of Kenya (NOCK) President Kipchoge Keino and marathoner Wesley Korir.

“The team has been well taken care of by the government and sponsors. It has also been tested by the Doping Control of Kenya and the results are expected next week. We want a clean team and continue educating our youth,” Keino said.

“We are not going to Rio to prove to the world that we are the best, but to prove that we are the cleanest. I have been talking to players individually about it because doping is always an individual affair. And whoever, who is doubting himself/herself should just withdraw and avoid spoiling for others. We are optimistic the results coming out next week will be good,” Korir added.