Paris Olympics: Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon set to smile to the bank as Kenya wins 11 medals
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 11.08.24. | 12:45
Kenya won four gold medals, two silver medals and five bronze medals in Paris.
Kenya has ended the Paris Olympics with a total of 11 medals, one more than they managed in Tokyo three years ago. In Tokyo, Kenya won ten medals: four gold, four silver, and two bronze.
In Paris, the medal count increased to 11, with the number of gold medals remaining at four. Kenya secured two silver medals and five bronze medals.
Twenty-four-year-old Beatrice Chebet was the star of Paris, earning Kenya two gold medals. She won the 5000m and 10000m races, a feat that will see her receive Ksh 6 million from the Kenyan government and Ksh 13 million from World Athletics for winning the two gold medals.
World Athletics announced in April that it was moving away from the non-cash reward policy of the International Olympic Committee by offering cash prizes for gold medalists in this year’s Olympics.
“The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medalists is a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport of athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering the athletes and recognizing the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commented.
“This is the continuation of a journey we started back in 2015, which sees all the money World Athletics receives from the International Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games go directly back into our sport,” he added.
Faith Kipyegon also contributed significantly to Kenya’s medal haul. She won silver in the 5000m and capped it with a gold medal in the 1500m, where she also set an Olympic record. Kipyegon will receive Ksh 5 million from the government and Ksh 6.5 million from World Athletics.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who overcame stiff competition to win the 800m men's final, secured Kenya’s fourth gold medal. He will receive Ksh 3 million from the government and Ksh 6.5 million from World Athletics.
Ronald Kwemoi, who won Kenya’s other silver medal in the 5000m race, will receive Ksh 2 million from the government.
The five bronze medalists, who will each receive Ksh 1 million from the government, are Mary Moraa in the 800m women's race, Hellen Obiri in the women’s marathon, Benson Kipruto in the men’s marathon, Faith Cherotich in the 3000m women’s steeplechase, and Abraham Kibiwott in the men’s steeplechase.
Kenya’s medal haul in Paris:
Gold: 4
Silver: 2
Bronze: 5
Total: 11
