The first batch of track athletes arrived in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday full of optimism ahead of the track action that begins at the Olympic Stadium on August 12.
The athletes were accompanied by five coaches, who are keen to explore the facilities at the Rio Olympics before they embark on the serious business of training as most Kenyan fans will be looking to the track team to bring glory back home.
The other team of track athletes are expected to leave Kenya on August 7, with the final batch set to join them on August 14.
Despite the long journey that took them through Angola before landing in Rio, the athletes were upbeat and said they were looking forward to getting a taste of the training facilities before they can comment on what they think of the organisation of the games.
“We arrived here late and tired, and we need to make ourselves comfortable in the Olympic Village and then tomorrow we can go have a feel of the training grounds,” 400m hurdler Maureen Jelagat told Feverpitch on arrival at the Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio Di Janeiro at 6pm local time.
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The athletes looked a fatigued lot on arrival and the three-hour lay-over in Angola did not help matters, especially in view of the language barrier at Luanda Airport that rubbed the Kenyans the wrong way.
Airport staff spoke in Portuguese and it took the intervention of a Kenya Airways crew member based in Luanda to help translate and also make the Kenyan team feel comfortable as they waited to board an Angola Airlines flight to Rio.
Team Kenya members were relieved to land in Rio after almost eight hours across the Atlantic Ocean as they were not only sure they would get some much-needed rest but also found the airport staff in Rio very helpful, with most of them trying to communicate in English.
They were received by Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, Isaac Ochieng’, who was accompanied by Team Kenya Chef de Mission, Stephen Soi.
Earlier in the day, Mr Ochieng’ had witnessed the team’s official welcome to the games village where Kenya’s flag was hoisted at the official residence of Team Kenya.
“We welcome you to Brazil and you can rest assured that all is well. We are here to support you throughout the competition. Make sure you fly Kenya’s flag high,” Ochieng said.
World 400m hurdles champion Nicholas Bett was among the athletes who arrived yesterday alongside his brother Aaron Koech.
Others are Boniface Mucheru (400m hurdles), Grace Wanjiru (20km walk), Gideon Gathimba and Simon Wachira (20km walk), Alphas Kishoyan, Alex Sampao, Raymond Kibet (400m) and Mike Mokamba (200m).
National Olympic Committee-Kenya President Kipchoge Keino and Secretary General FK Paul among others officials travelled to Rio with the athletes on Sunday.
