2024 Kenya Athletics Olympics Trials Day Two: Faith Kipyegon completes double as Ferdinand Omanyala seals 100m world lead

Kenya Olympic Trials: Emmanuel Wanyonyi runs fastest 800m on Kenyan soil

Emmanuel Wanyonyi redeemed himself with victory in the 800m after a nervy semi-final where he was tripped on the home straight to finish sixth. After a successful appeal, the world silver medallist didn’t take any chances in Saturday’s final. He opted for the front, and it paid off with a world lead and a personal best of 1:41.27.

“I learnt my lesson yesterday after that fall,” Wanyonyi told journalists at the Nyayo National Stadium after finishing ahead of Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:42.50) and Koitatoi Kidali (1:42.66).

“I didn’t want to make mistakes today. I feel I am ready for Paris and in good shape to aim for a medal there.”

His time was sixth fastest of all-time behind David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91. Rudisha, who was among thousands of fans at the stadium, was pleased to see the 19-year-old race to the quickest time ever on Kenyan soil.

“It was incredible,” said Rudisha, who tips Wanyonyi for the gold in Paris in the absence of the reigning Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir who didn’t qualify for the finals. Kenya has won every men’s 800m title at the Olympic Games since Beijing 2008.

“It was good to watch him run that fast at this particular time of the year. We have never watched that on Kenyan soil, in 2012 I also ran from the front and only managed 1:42…We are quite sure Wanyonyi will do something [in Paris].

There was a sigh of relief for 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot who was named in the 1500m after finishing third behind the winner Reynold Cheruiyot and Daniel Munguti.

Kenya Athletics Team to Paris 2024 Olympics named after the Trials:

Ferdinand Omanyala (100m men), Mary Moraa (400m), Zablon Ekwam (400m) Wiseman Were (400m hurdles), Lilian Odira (800m women), Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m men), Wycliffe Kinyamal(800m men), Faith Kipyegon(1500m & 5000m), Nelly Chepchirchir (800m) Susan Ejore(800m), Reynold Cheruiyot (1500m) Timothy Cheruiyot (1500m), Faith Cherotich (3000m SC women), Beatrice Chepkoech (3000m SC women), Jackline Chepkoech (3000m SC women), Amos Serem(3000m SC men), Simon Koech (3000m SC men), Abraham Kibiwott (3000m SC men), Beatrice Chebet (5000m women), Ronald Kwemoi (5000m men), Jacob Krop (5000m men) Edwin Kurgat (5000m men), Lilian Kasait (10,000m women), Margaret Chelimo (10,000m women), Daniel Mateiko (10,000m men), Nicholas Kipkorir (10,000m men), Bernard Kibet (10,000m men), Samuel Gathimba (20km race walk men), Peris Jepchirchir (Marathon women), Hellen Obiri (Marathon women), Brigid Kosgei (Marathon women), Eliud Kipchoge (Marathon men), Benson Kipruto (Marathon men), Alexander Mutiso (Marathon men).

*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.