Joyce Chepkirui at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Kenya ranks position nine in the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a total of 25 medals; 10 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze medals.

On Saturday, James Kiplagat Magut (Men’s 1500 metres), Mercy Cherono (Women’s 5000 metres) and Julius Kiplagat Yego, who won spectacularly in the men’s javelin throw, added three gold medals to Kenya.

KENYAN YOUTUBE ATHLETE WINS JAVELIN GOLD

Julius Yego, the YouTube athlete became the first Kenyan to win javelin gold at the Commonwealth Games notwithstanding the fact that he was having a groin injury that he had incurred during warm-up and that the unfavourable weather brought about a downpour during the competition.

The 25-year-old self taught javelin thrower proved that Kenyan victories are not restricted to just the track or road as he threw a best of 83.87m on Saturday night to beat Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad & Tobago (82.67m).

KENYA FALLS SHORT OF EXPECTATION

Being Commonwealth Games, previously known as the British Commonwealth Games, the competition is only restricted to the Commonwealth nations which locks out fierce competitors like Ethiopia and other North African countries.

Expectations were high for Kenya and especially with the big team of talented athletes and despite the country appearing among the top ten nations, our performance was dismal. Out of the 13 disciplines, only 3 managed to get to the podium. Athletes like David Rudisha (800m Silver – World/Olympic Champion & World Record holder) and Jason Dunford (Swimming) fell short of expectations.

Rudisha was beaten by Botswana’s Nijel Amos in the 800m final, Dunford once again missed out the chance to medal in the 100m freestyle where he bowed out at the semi-finals after finishing last in a time of 50.78

In the 2012 commonwealth games in New Delhi, India, Kenya registered a superior performance where she won 12 gold medals, 12 silver and nine bronze

EVENT CHARACTERISED BY MISMANAGEMENT

Glasgow’s competition showcased the usual mismanagement of sporting events that is typical of Kenyan officials. There was an issue with delayed allowances given to athletes, as well as instances of missing or delayed kit being issued to Team Kenya. There was also late accreditation which saw cyclist, David Kinjah among others miss out on the games.

Some athletes like Dunford cited frustration by the officials while other complained of a lack of technical/financial support as well as favouritism in team selection.

England topped the 2014 Commonwealth Games, followed by Australia, Canada, Scotland, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Jamaica respectively.