Paris Olympics: Omanyala, Atuka announced as Kenya's flag bearers

Kenya’s sprint king Ferdinand Omanyala and Malkia Strikers team captain Trizah Atuka will serve as the country’s flag bearers during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony on Friday 26 July.

The pair, who were confirmed on Sunday and first reported by Nation Sport, will be tasked with carrying the flag and placard of Kenya at what has been described as the most spectacular and accessible opening ceremony in Olympic history.

In a departure from the norm - where teams have made entry into stadiums on foot - Paris will offer athletes an opportunity to sail down a six-kilometer (four-mile) stretch of the river Seine from the Austerlitz bridge in the east to the Eiffel Tower, on 85 barges and boats.

What we know about the Paris Olympics opening ceremony

The Parade of Nations, which will involve the two flag bearers leading their team of athletes and officials, will see them march into the Jardins du Trocadéro, an open space in Paris along the Seine that will offer a scenic background of the Eiffel Tower.

Up to 500,000 people are set to watch the ceremony in person from specially built stands, where tickets have sold for up to $2,900 (Ksh. 379,900) on the river banks for free, and from the overlooking balconies and apartments.

Omanyala will be taking part in his second Olympic Games after participation in the Tokyo Games in 2021, and enters Paris on the back of some fine form, having recorded a second-fastest time of 9.79 this year, and closed out his preparation with a win in the FBK Games in Hengelo before jetting out to Miramas, where he continues to train.

Atuka, on the other hand, will continue with her impressive journey of recovery as she leads the women’s national volleyball side to another Olympics, where they will hope to win a game for the first time.

Meanwhile, Kenya Sevens Co-captain Tony Omondi and 1500m Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon have been appointed as the overall Team Kenya captains.

Shujaa will open up the account for Kenya in the Olympics when action starts on Wednesday 24 July, with athletics action set to begin in the first week of August.

Among the new entrants in the Miramas camp on Sunday was Zeddy Cherotich, who is the first female Judoka to represent Kenya at the Olympic Games.

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