Kings Of Track

By Gilbert Wandera

Kenya’s gallant team to the World Athletics Championships arrived home to a rousing welcome.

However, only three medalists, among them World Marathon Champion Abel Kirui, returned home as the rest travelled to Zurich for Wednesday’s Samsung Diamond League series.

Abel Kirui’s Administration Police colleagues hoist him after his arrival from Daegu on Tuesday. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO]

Vincent Kipruto, who finished second and the entire men marathon team were among those who arrive on Tuesday.

The other medalist who arrived was Brimin Kipruto, the 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist.

Kirui received a special welcome from his Administration Police colleagues.

They wrapped a special flag around him and sung his praises for winning the marathon.

“I am delighted by my achievement coming after a tough year. It was a tough race and I was not sure it will end this way for me,”

“I thank my colleagues for showing their support and appreciation. It makes a big difference,” he said.

Kirui revealed it was only after the 27k.m mark that he knew he could win the championships.

“I felt very strong after 27k.m and knew that if I kept my pace I would win easily,” he said.

Kipruto said he is satisfied with his second position despite going into the championships as a favorite.

“I did my best and it got me this silver medal. The race was tough and everybody wanted to win so iam satisfied with it,” he said.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka led various legislators in welcoming the team at the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport.

Musyoka arrived at the airport a few minutes before the Qatar Airways plane carrying the victorious team landed and headed straight to the tarmac where he welcomed the team back home.

Various dancing troops were at the airport early playing patriotic music as they waited for the team to land.

The winners were welcomed with a sip of the traditional mursik.

Live television

Business at the normally busy airport nearly came to a standstill as members of the public curiously stood to watch the proceedings.

Various local television stations relayed the arrival live.

Musyoka hailed the team for their outstanding performance and said they had brought great glory to the country.

“The top leadership of this country and all Kenyans are happy with your performance because it put us on the world map,”

“Our performance equaled that of some of the super powers who had a bigger squads than us and now we need to focus on other events as well,”

“We must now work on field events to increase our medal haul in future championships,” said the Vice President.

Olympic champion Nancy Lagat, who failed to make it to the final of the 1,500m event, declined to grant us an interview.

Lagat maintained studious silence during the residential camp at Kasarani even when it became apparent that she was training with a sprained knee, a thing that was kept under wraps until the departure to Daegu.