Abraham Kibiwott, who won bronze in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Paris Olympics, has urged Kenyans not to lose hope in the team as they seek a formula to reclaim the race.
Olympics bronze medaliist Abraham Kibiwott has urged Kenyans to be patient with the team as they still find a way to reclaim their 3,000m steeplechase glory.
Kibiwott won bronze at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday after a third place finish behind Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali and American Kenneth Rooks while team-mates Simon Koech and Amos Serem finished in seventh and 14th places respectively.
It was another poor outing for the Kenyans in the race that had been owned by the country since the 1968 Olympics.
23:10 - 07.08.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Abraham Kibiwott secures bronze as Soufiane El Bakkali makes history in men's 3000m steeplechase final
Abraham Kibiwott fought hard for a podium finish in the hotly contested men's 3000m steeplechase final as Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended his title at the Paris Olympics.
However, that tradition was stopped in 2020 when El Bakkali claimed gold and any hopes of changing the tide in 2024 disappeared when the Moroccan became the first man to defend his Olympics title over the distance.
However, Kibiwott is keeping hope alive and has told Kenyans not to lose hope in the team as he believes they will bounce back soon.
“I dedicate my bronze medal to my seven-days-old daughter, Angel Kyla Biwott,” Kibiwott said after the race.
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“I am content with the bronze but most importantly, it has given me the belief that I still have much to give to the steeplechase, I urge Kenyans to be a little patient and we will be back.”
Consensus Kipruto is the last man to have won steeplechase gold for Kenya at the Rio 2016 Games andsince then, the country has watched in disappointment as other nations dominate the race that was once their preserve.
Kibiwott has saved Kenya the blushes now twice in a row after another bronze at the 2023 World Championships.
06:35 - 08.08.2024
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