Olympics: NOC-K pick Kimani as strength and conditioning consultant

400m sprinter Collins Omae works out through his coach Geoffrey Kimani assistance training session at Moi International Sport Centre, Kasarani on July 25, 2017 ahead of IAAF London World Championships. [Dennis Okeyo, Standard]

Sprints coach Geoffrey Kimani has been unveiled as the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Strength and Conditioning lead consultant for Team Kenya.

Kimani penned a 10-month contract, but his main assignment will be preparing the national team for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The coach, who has worked with the Kenya rugby Sevens team, will be tasked with training national team coaches whose teams have already qualified for the Olympics.

The Strength and Conditioning Program is part of NOC-K’s strategic objective on Elite Athlete Development arising from its Strategic Plan 2019-2024.

The tactician is also expected to prepare Team Kenya’s squads to the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2022 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.

“National Olympic Committee of Kenya’s main projects this year are Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Capacity Building. We will work with qualified Olympic teams to enhance their training,” said NOC-K acting Secretary General Francis Mutuku. [Dennis Okeyo]

While commenting on his appointment, Kimani said:

“Strength and conditioning is an application of science. It’s a matter of consistency for any athlete or player aiming to perform at the world stage must embrace. The challenges are there but we aim at working the coaches of the federations to make it smooth.”

Mutuku also called on athletes preparing for Olympics not to be distracted by the coronavirus outbreak.

“At the moment, we have an assurance that the Tokyo Games will go on as scheduled. NOC-K encourage our athletes and teams to continue with preparation progamme and will keep on updating on the matter” said Mutuku.