Kenya competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Kenya won a total of 16 medals, 6 of them gold, its best ever performance at the Olympics.

Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes, 28 men and 18 women, to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women. The remaining medals won by Kenyans were four silver and six bronze medals. Among the nation's gold medalists was Brimin Kipruto, who brought home the nation's seventh straight medal in the steeplechase since 1984. Coming in at a close third was Richard Matelong who was unable to surpass the Frenchman Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad. Kenya also marked its Olympic debut in taekwondo by sending two athletes, one man and one woman. For the first time in Olympic history, the Kenyan athletes had participated in the women's 800 meter event final. Shortly after the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the women captured a gold medal against many odds. Along with the gold, they also took home the silver as well. Pamela Jelimo led her fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei to a one-two finish.

Marathon runner Samuel Wanjiru did not only bring home the gold medal for the Kenyans, but also broke the 24-year-old Olympic record set by Carlos Lopes.

The Kenyans finished the Olympics being the most successful African country in the Beijing Olympics, and 13th place in the overall country standings.

Medalists Medal Name Sport Event Pamela Jelimo Athletics Women's 800 m Brimin Kipruto Athletics Men's 3000 m steeplechase Wilfred Bungei Athletics Men's 800 m Nancy Lagat Athletics Women's 1500 m Samuel Wanjiru Athletics Men's marathon Asbel Kiprop Athletics Men's 1500 m Janeth Jepkosgei Athletics Women's 800 m Catherine Ndereba Athletics Women's marathon Eunice Jepkorir Athletics Women's 3000 m steeplechase Eliud Kipchoge Athletics Men's 5000 m Richard Mateelong Athletics Men's 3000 m steeplechase Micah Kogo Athletics Men's 10,000 m Alfred Kirwa Yego Athletics Men's 800 m Edwin Cheruiyot Soi Athletics Men's 5000 m Sylvia Kibet Athletics Women's 5000 metres Linet Masai Athletics Women's 10000 metres

Athletics

The following athletes have been selected for the Olympics:IAAF, July 5, 2008: Kenyan Beijing squad announced as trials conclude in Nairobi

Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalResultRankResultRankResultRankVincent Mumo Kiilu400 m46.797Did not advanceWilfred Bungei800 m1:44.901 Q1:46.23 1 Q1:44.65 SBBoaz Kiplagat Lalang1:45.72 2 Q1:45.873Did not advanceAlfred Yego1:46.042 Q1:44.73 1 Q1:44.82Augustine Choge1500 m3:35.473 Q3:37.544 Q3:35.5010Asbel Kiprop3:41.281 Q3:37.041 Q3:33.11Nicholas Kemboi3:41.5611Did not advanceEliud Kipchoge5000 m13:37.502 Qcolspan=2 13:02.80Thomas Longosiwa13:41.304 Qcolspan=2 13:31.3412Edwin Soi13:46.41 1 Qcolspan=2 13:06.22Micah Kogo10000 mcolspan=4 27:04.11 SBMoses Ndiema Masaicolspan=4 27:04.11 SB4Martin Mathathicolspan=4 27:08.25 PB7Ezekiel Kemboi3000 m steeplechase8:17.554 Qcolspan=2 8.16.387Brimin Kipruto8:23.532 Qcolspan=2 8.10.34 SBRichard Matelong8:19.872 Qcolspan=2 8.11.01Luke KibetMarathoncolspan=4 Martin Lelcolspan=4 2:10:245Samuel Wanjirucolspan=4 2:06:32 David Kimutai20 km walkcolspan=4 1:22:2119

Women AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalResultRankResultRankResultRankElizabeth Muthuka400 mDid not advancePamela Jelimo800 m2:03.181 Q1:57.312 Q1:54.87 Janeth Jepkosgei1:59.721 Q1:57.281 Q1:56.07 SBIrene Jelagat1500 m4:09.92 9colspan=2 Did not advanceViola Kibiwot4:15.625colspan=2 Did not advanceNancy Lagat4:03.02 SB1 Qcolspan=2 4:00.23 PBVivian Cheruiyot5000 m14:57.27 2 Qcolspan=2 15:46.325Priscah Jepleting14:58.074 Qcolspan=2 15:51.7811Sylvia Kibet15:10.372 Qcolspan=2 15:44.96 Peninah Arusei10000 mcolspan=4 31:39.8718Linet Masaicolspan=4 30:26.50Lucy Wanguicolspan=4 30:39.967Eunice Jepkorir3000 m steeplechase9:21.311 Qcolspan=2 9:07.41Ruth Bosibori Nyangau9:19.752 Qcolspan=2 9:17.356Martha KomuMarathoncolspan=4 2:27:235Salina Jebet Kosgeicolspan=4 2:29:2810Catherine Nderebacolspan=4 2:27:06

Key Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only Q = Qualified for the next round q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target NR = National record N/A = Round not applicable for the event Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Boxing

Kenya qualified five boxers for the Olympic boxing tournament. Bilali was the only boxer to qualify at the first African qualifying event.1st AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament The other four boxers all earned spots at the second African tournament. In addition, welterweight boxer Nickson Abaka qualified for the Olympics, but missed the event due to injury.Daily Nation, July 17, 2008; Boxer Abaka knocked out of Beijing Olympics as camp is officially opened

AthleteEventRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinalOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultRankSuleiman BilaliLight flyweightL 3–9Did not advanceBernard NgumbaFlyweightL 1–10Did not advanceNick OkothFeatherweightL 2–6Did not advanceAziz AliLight heavyweightL 3–8Did not advance

Rowing

A sole Kenyan rower has qualified for the Olympics:Daily Nation, July 2, 2008: Lidaywa eyes Olympic medal

Men AthleteEventHeatsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankMatthew Lidaywa MwangeSingle sculls8:16.096 SE/Fcolspan=2 7:49.174 FF7:52:5930

Swimming

Kenya sent two swimmers to Beijing.The Standard, July 28, 2008:

Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankDavid Dunford50 m freestyle22.2920Did not advanceJason Dunford100 m freestyle49.0624Did not advance100 m butterfly51.144 Q51.335 Q51.475

Taekwondo

Two Kenyan taekwondo jins will compete at the 2008 olympics:Kenya Times, July 13, 2008: Kit boost for Tae-Kwon-Do team

AthleteEventRound of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsRepechage Bronze MedalFinalOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultRankDickson WamwiriMen's −58 kgL 0–7Did not advanceMildred AlangoWomen's −49 kgL 0–7Did not advanceW 2–2 L 0–1Did not advance5

See also Kenya at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Kenya at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Kenya at the 2010 Commonwealth Games

References

External links sports-reference