)
Delayed, but not denied! Ferdinand Omanyala is more confident going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and he has narrated how his exit from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games played a huge role in his career success.
Ferdinand Omanyala has narrated his journey from his exit at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games a better and wiser athlete.
The African record holder noted that it has been a long journey full of lessons that he does not take for granted. He explained that everything that happened during that period primed him for his return to the Olympic Games.
At the delayed Olympic Games, Omanyala exited the championship after finishing third in the semifinal of the men’s 100m but many doors opened after that.
)
11:42 - 13.07.2024
Is it time for Africa to shine in the men's 100m at Paris Olympic Games?
The last time an African won a medal in the men's 100m was during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games but the narrative might change following the cast that will head to Paris this season.
Omanyala noted that he has been forced to make a lot of changes for the betterment of his career and going to Paris, he believes he has an edge over his competitors since he is the second fastest man in the world this year, thanks to his explosive run at the Kenyan Olympic trials.
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson holds the fastest time, 9.77 that he ran to win the Jamaican Olympic trials.
“It has been a long journey because three years is a very long time and so many things have happened within the three years…I’ve had to make a lot of changes and there was a lot to learn,” Omanyala said.
“A lot has changed and all that was to prepare me to for what is to come. Olympic Games will be okay because I’m ranked at number two in the world and last year wasn’t good for me. I was just out to fill in the heats but this time around, I will be going there as a contender.”
The 28-year-old added that after his exit at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, his main focus was on the next assignment and he kept on going until he was able to achieve his goals one by one.
Omanyala is not done writing history but has disclosed that he is on the right track and his discipline and hunger for more are what have kept him in the grind.
“At the time, I wasn’t looking further but in life I know I have to be optimistic. Those opportunities that came after the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics are the ones that have made me who I am today,” he added.
)
16:00 - 17.06.2024
Why Mark Otieno is not worried by prospect of missing Paris Olympics
Sprinter Mark Otieno is keeping hope alive that he will seal Olympics qualification but will not be overly disappointed if he misses out.
"I have been disciplined and I think that’s what has pushed me. I also had that hunger to win more and do better. After the Olympics, I wanted to win the Commonwealth, break the African record, and become the African Champion.”
The fastest man in Africa heads to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the confidence much needed. At the moment, Omanyala is at his ‘second home’ in Miramas, sharpening his talons in readiness for the huge task that awaits him.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)