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Wekesa, now an established member of the Kenya 7s set up, has revealed how difficult making the final squad for the Olympic games was.
Kenya 7s hotshot Kevin Wekesa has reflected back on how difficult the preliminary camp for the upcoming Olympic games back in Kenya was.
Wekesa, now an established member of the squad at just 23, played a pivotal role in securing Kenya's qualification for the 2024 Olympics and their return to the HSBC Sevens Series.
Under the guidance of coach Kevin Wambua, the team has undergone a rejuvenation, with a focus on integrating younger players to replace the veterans who were part of the side relegated after 19 years as a core nation.
Speaking on the Olympics Kenya Podcast from their training base in Miramas, France, where the team is intensifying their preparations ahead of their Paris campaign, Wekesa recounted the intense competition to make the final squad.
“The pressure was at its ultimum before the coach named the final Olympic squad. He (the coach) had named 24 players, and everyone was available for selection,” Wekesa said.
“The guys who came in were on a hot streak of form in training. I even doubted myself because of the high standards. You cannot be sure you are making the squad until you see you have boarded the plane for yourself. That is the thing.”
From the initial 24-man squad, only 15 players made the cut for the Olympics. Of these, 12 will compete in the games, while the remaining three – Festus Siashi, Dennis Abukuse, and Brian Mutugi – will serve as training reserves.
The other nine players participated in the Africa Sevens in Madagascar but were unfortunate to miss the final selection.
“Everyone wants to go to the Olympics. No one wanted to be in the second team. It was not easy,” Wekesa added.
Reflecting on the training camp in Miramas, Wekesa shared his experiences since the team arrived nearly two weeks ago.
“In terms of high-performance training, Miramas has been excellent. The facilities have been top class and I have acclimated well to the weather.
“ Only the food had been weird. Everything is cold and the food here is dominated by greens! I guess the French love that yet I prefer warm food.
“It was bringing problems even in training because I have experienced issues with my lower back, but at least now, they have started introducing ugali to the menu and general Kenyan food.”
With the weather in Paris expected to be very hot, Miramas has provided similar conditions, with temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees Celsius at times.
However, Wekesa remains unfazed by the heat. “I have been used to the hard life so even when the sun shines, it has not taken a toll on me. I know it has been hot.
“On Tuesday, it was 40 degrees hot. One sprint can leave you very sweaty. Maybe the only weather I find difficult to adapt to is winter because we do not have it in Kenya,” he said.
Kenya will be playing Argentina, Australia and Samoa in Pool B of the games.
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