From left- Ministry of Sports official, 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge (third left) and two times world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich on arrival at JKIA from Tokyo. August 11, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

 

The reception of Olympic team when the athletes jetted back this week raised more questions than answers.

Kenyan Sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala at JKIA leaves for Europe soon after Tokyo 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. August 11, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

On Wednesday, Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna said it was difficult to have a grand welcome at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The move generated furious reactions on mainstream and social media, with most people calling out the government for hypocrisy.

And this could have jolted authorities, for, they sent a delegation led by chair of the Heroes Council Adan Wachu to receive the last batch yesterday morning.

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2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge on arrival at JKIA from Tokyo. August 11, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sadly, newly crowned Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir was the only Olympian among the 40-odd officials who attended yesterday’s breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel.