Article
Analysis of Kenya’s performance at the Olympic Games in track and field (1956 – 2016), reasons for success and the need for event diversification
Kenya Studies Review
(2020)
Abstract
Kenya has excelled in international sports, especially in middle and distance events. To date, Kenya has won 104 Medals at the Olympic Games with 97 (93.27%) being in track and field and the remaining 07 (6.73%) from boxing. Out of the 97 won in track and field, 91 (93.81 %) were in middle and distance events. Additionally, women have won 24 (24.74%) medals compared to 73 (75.26%) won by the men in track and field. In 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Kenyan women won 7 medals compared to 6 won by the men. This sustained dominance continues in the wake of many Kenyan athletes changing their national allegiance to run for other countries where they have even earned medals at the Olympic Games. Thus, Kenya needs to diversify more in track and field events to broaden the scope of competition to sustain and solidify the status of being a powerhouse in track and field.
Keywords
- Kenya,
- Olympic Games,
- Middle and Distance Events,
- National Allegiance,
- Track and Field,
- Athletics Scholarships,
- Altitude
Disciplines
Publication Date
Summer 2020
Citation Information
Wycliffe W Njororai Simiyu. "Analysis of Kenya’s performance at the Olympic Games in track and field (1956 – 2016), reasons for success and the need for event diversification" Kenya Studies Review Vol. 8 Iss. 1 (2020) p. 26 - 41 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/wycliffe-njororaisimiyu/217/