All-conquering Kenyans expected back from Beijing today

History-making Team Kenya athletes from the 15th edition of the World Championships in Athletics jet back on Tuesday morning from China.

Outgoing Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat said the plane carrying the team will touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 6.45am.

The athletes will then tour the city in a convoy of cars. The team will then be hosted to breakfast at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

Kiplagat said plans are underway for a State reception that will be hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday at State House, Nairobi.

Kiplagat called on the athletes to meet tomorrow evening at Kasarani Complex ahead of the State House date.

Among the athletes set to arrive today are deputy team captain Vivian Cheruiyot who recaptured her 10,000m title and history-making Julius Yego (javelin) and Nicholas Bett (400m hurdles). Yego became the first Kenya to win javelin gold at the World Championships with the third longest throw ever of 92.72 metres that was also an African record and World lead. Yego is the current Africa, Commonwealth and African Games champion.

Bett also made history as the first Kenyan to win a sprint event with victory in men’s 400m hurdles in a National Record and World Lead time of 47.79 seconds.

FIRST TIME

The other gold medallist expected is new 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng and several silver and bronze medal winners in the team.

Olympic and World 800m champion David Rudisha and three times  World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop are the gold medallist who opted to fly direct to Europe for the Diamond League due September 3 in Zurich and September 11 in Brussels.

Ezekiel Kemboi, who won an unrivalled fourth consecutive World 3,000m steeplechase title, arrived in the country much earlier and was due to leave last night for Europe.

For the first time, Kenya topped the medal standing at the World Championships, beating heavyweights Jamaica and United States of America. Team Kenya hauled a total of 16 medals; seven gold, six silver and three bronze medals. Jamaica settled second with 7-2-3 and United States of America third with 5-6-6.

Kiplagat said the good results came through hard work and discipline from the athletes, their coaches and Athletics Kenya.

“We are happy that we are on top of the world for the first time. But that didn’t come easily,” Kiplagat said. “It’s the structures that we have put in place like the weekend meetings, junior championships and youth championships.”

COMING OF AGE

Kiplagat said the good results in sprint and field events where Nicholas Bett won the 400m hurdles with Julius Yego going for javelin gold came after Athletics Kenya sent the athletes for specialised training abroad. Kiplagat said Kenya was slowly coming of age in field events, having also sent more athletes in long jump and triple jump to Africa Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Kiplagat thanked Finland Athletics Federation and IAAF for helping harness javelin talent in Yego through specialized. “I also want to thank Safaricom and Kenya Commercial Bank among other sponsors who have been with us through this journey,” said Kiplagat.

Acting AK president Jackson Tuwei, who led the team to the World Championships thanked Kenyans, the Government and the sponsors for their support that has enabled Kenya top the world for the first time.

Tuwei called for concerted effort from the government, athletes and all stakeholders to help tame the doping menace. “The vice is here with us but we can only tame it if we work together. It’s only a few elements that want to spoil the name of the country through short cut. We shall deal woth them accordingly,” said Tuwei on phone from China.

Kenya’s Joyce Sakari and Francisca Koki, were found guilty of doping during the pre-worlds testing in China.