Hats off to Team Kenya!

I’m bowing down today to the Kenyan athletes who made history as they became champions of the world. Seven gold, six silver and three bronze.

We cheered you every step of the way. What a blessed country this is. And what an inspiration you are to every youth who reads this publication.

We can be top of the world, not just in athletics, but in anything we want to be. We have that spirit. But I will not speak about the other things we can excel in today. This is your day. To paraphrase Odysseus the Greek, if they ever tell Kenya’s story, let them say we walked with giants.

Men rise and fall like the winter wheat but these names will never die. 

Gold:

Women: Vivian Cheruiyot (10,000m); Hyvin Kiyeng (3,000m steeplechase).

Men: David Rudisha (800m); Asbel Kiprop (1,500m); Nicolas Bet (400m hurdles); Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000m steeplechase); Julius Yego (Javelin).

Silver:

Women: Vivian Cheruiyot (10,000m); Hyvin Kiyeng (3,000m steeplechase).

Men: Elijah Manangoi (1,500m); Caleb Mwangangi (5,000m) Geoffrey Kamworor (10,000m); Conseslus Kipruto (3,000m steeplechase).

Bronze:

Women: Eunice Sum (800m).

Men: Paul Tanui (10,000m); Brimin Kipruto (3,000m steeplechase).

Champions of the world, I have an ode to dedicate to each of you. It was sung by the late Whitney Houston in reverence to athletes, sports men and women who, like you, push their bodies to the limits to demonstrate just how powerful, agile, fast, flexible and resilient the human body is.

Even though you stand on top of the world, I know it took hard work, sweat and tears to get your one moment in time.

A thousand years from now, they will speak of you. And if they ever speak of the rest of us, they will say that we lived in your time. I hope someone plays you this song today.

Each day I live

I want to be

A day to give

the best of me

I’m only one

But not alone,

My finest day

Is yet unknown

I broke my heart

Fought every gain

To taste the sweet

I face the pain

I rise and fall

Yet through it all

This much remains

I want one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity.

I’ve lived to be

The very best

I want it all

No time for less

I’ve laid the plans

Now lay the chance

Here in my hands

Give me one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity

You’re a winner for a lifetime

If you seize that one moment in time

Make it shine

Give me one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will be

I will be free

I will be

I will be free.