Mark Otieno reveals new motivation ahead of upcoming season
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 24.10.24. | 11:08
Otieno caught the attention of the athletics world with a hand-timed 10.1,
Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno is leaving no stone unturned in preparing for the upcoming season, and this time, he has renewed motivation: his son, Luke Baraka Odhiambo.
On January 16, 2024, Otieno and his wife, Stephanie Muluka Odhiambo, welcomed their bundle of joy.
"My world changed for the better. My son was born, and he has my whole heart plus more. Truly, my God is a God of restoration. You can trust Him," Otieno shared on his social media platforms.
Christians will understand that the Gospel of Mark is the second book in the New Testament, while Luke is the third.
Otieno chose the name Luke for his son because, in the Bible, Luke means "light." The sprinter sees his son as a beacon of hope and joy, believing that Luke will shine brightly in the world, bringing warmth and clarity wherever he goes.
That warmth and love for his son drive Otieno to bring Luke to his training sessions, serving as a constant reminder of what truly matters. He recently shared a photo of himself training with his son watching from the stands.
“Off-season training with the newest addition to my coaching team. He doesn't do or say much, but I work hardest when he's around,” Otieno captioned the picture.
Otieno is returning to the track after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) imposed a ban on him for allegedly testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid methasterone. This resulted in his suspension from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, just moments before he was scheduled to compete in the 100m heats.
However, Otieno successfully appealed the ban, leading to a reduction in his suspension period.
Otieno caught the attention of the athletics world with a hand-timed 10.1, finishing a remarkable second in the Kenyan trials for the prestigious 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
The following year, he continued to showcase his potential and determination, lowering his official best to 10.39, earning a well-deserved second place at the Kenyan Championships.
However, it was in 2017 that Otieno truly made a resounding impact on the sport. During the Kenyan national 100m title race in Nairobi, he displayed exceptional speed and talent, clocking a blazing time of 10.14.
This impressive performance not only secured him the national title but also booked his spot at the highly coveted 2017 World Championships.
