Hopes of a nation on Vivian Cheruiyot's young shoulders

Kenya's Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot celebrates in front of Ethiopia's Gelete Burka PHOTO: STANDARD

Kenya's biggest sporting moment kicks off at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this evening –with women's 10,000m final and men's 800m round one races on the card.

The women's showpiece would be historic as Kenya has never won the 10,000m gold since her first stab at the Olympics in 1956.

And Vivian Cheruiyot, the reigning world 10,000m champion, is expected to lead US-based Betsy Saina and newly crowned Africa champion Alice Aprot in the chase for the elusive medal against strong Ethiopian challenge.

World 5,000m champion Almaz Ayana, reigning Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba and world silver medalist Gelete Burka will line up for Ethiopia.

And the expected mouth-watering clash will no doubt see major towns in the country, especially Eldoret bursting into a frenzy.

For a moment, Kenyans will transcend their tribal affiliations and get united by the powerful valves of national symbols. Daniel Chemno, the Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor, said they have declared a public holiday from 2:00pm to allow families, friends and fans, including Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, to cheer on the athletes at the big screen erected inside the county headquarters.

"We are serious with the Olympics. We know this is a treasure for the country and the entire region watching their daughters battle to make history in 10,000m. In fact, crime rates will go down. That has been the norm when we have major events," Mr Chemno said.

Traffic snarl-ups along Uganda Road, Eldoret's thoroughfare, is expected during and after the race as most spectators would take to the streets when any of the stars strikes gold medal.

Parent's, spouses, family members and former Olympic medalists –among them Bartojo Rotich (1960 Olympics in Rome) Amos Biwott (1968 Olympics in Mexico City) will take vantage positions before the big screen in Eldoret.

David Kebenei, fourth at the All Africa Games 1,500m contest and father of three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, and Moses Kiplagat, the husband of Vivian Cheruiyot, are among an armada of family members expected at Uasin Gishu County headquarters viewing fanfare.

Anxiety and excitement is building up in Eldoret, Iten and Kapsabet towns, the spiritual home of athletics. Wilson Boit Kipketer, the 2,000 Olympic 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist and MCA in Elgeyo Marakwet, is among ex-Olympic stars watching the Rio action.

Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha, former world junior champion Alfred Kipketer and Ferguson Rotich, fourth at the Beijing world championships last year, will anchor Kenya's medal chase in men's 800m round one at 4:00pm.