‘I predict 8 Olympic gold medals’ – Sports PS Tum

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Sum is optimistic that Team Kenya to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will bring home at least eight gold medals.

Tum was soeaking at the Ministry’s office at Talanta Plaza yesterday as the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) made public the final list of the Kenyan contigent to the Games.

The best ever Kenya’s performance in the history of the Olympic Games was in 2008 during the Beijing Olympics where the country bagged a total of 16 medals, six gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals.

“I’m not an athlete but I’m confident this team is going to bring home aty least eight gold medals. The preparations have been top notch both locally and internationally through their federations and the team that we are senidng in Paris is the best,” said Tum who will be the head of delegation for the team and the highest ranked government official.

He added: “I want to thank President William Ruto for flagging off the team on July 5 and ensuring that the allowances this time are at an all time high and this kind of motivation assures us of many medals. Apart from participating in the Olympics, Kenya will also be showcasing several aspects of itself. we will be showcasing our tourism prowess as the best destination in Africa, we will also be looking into trade and that is why we have curated a Kenya House in Paris.”

The team comprises of 81 athletes, 33 team officials, 26 members of management team and five members of the Olympic Family. It’s a leaner team compared to the contigent that travelled to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Nock president Paul Tergat said the over 80 athletes had come across different Sports namely, Athletics, Rugby, Fencing, Volleyball, judo and Swimming.

“Its officially eight days to the Paris Olympic games meaning we are officially on the home stretch of a significant year for most Sportsmen and Women, the games are about to begin. The single digits countdown is the Athlete’s alarm to step into the competition mode.

The final registration of the athletes and primary team officials was submitted to the international Olympic committee and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games organizing committee on Monday meaning that Team Kenya is officially staring at their Olympic dreams,” Tergat said.

He added: “As the most successful African nation at the Olympics, having won 113 medals, I can personally attest to the legacy Kenyan athletes leave behind with every competition. The period between qualifying for the Olympic games and the start of the games is the most crucial for any athlete and we can confidently state that the athletes are well prepared to show up for the country while carrying the hopes and dreams of the 50 million Kenyans who will be cheering and supporting.”