Kenya athletes receive rapturous welcome after Beijing exploits

History setting Team Kenya returned home from China to a rapturous welcome for their exploits at the championship. They were received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by deputy President, William Rutto. 

Team Kenya topped the medals table at the 15th edition of the World Championships in Athletics held in the Birds Nest stadium in China, with a medal haul of seven gold, six silver and three bronze medals.

The Daily Nation of Kenya quoted the deputy President as saying; “you have made us proud and made history in the whole world. Kenya is magical, Kenya is a country of tremendous opportunities, we have always done well but this is exceptional.”

The athletes were treated to breakfast at the Kenyatta International Convention Center in the capital, Nairobi, where it was announced that President Uhuru Kenyatta would host them at the State House on Thursday. 

History-making Julius Yego (javelin thrower) and Nicholas Bett (400m hurdles) were joined by Ezekiel Kemboi, who won an unrivalled fourth consecutive World 3,000m steeplechase title.
Yego became the first Kenyan to win javelin gold at the World Championships with the third longest throw ever of 92.72 metres, which was also an African record and World lead. Yego is the current Africa, Commonwealth and African Games champion.
Bett also made history as the first Kenyan to win a sprint event with victory in the men’s 400m hurdles in a national record and World lead time of 47.79 seconds.
David Rudisha, Olympic and World champion over 800m and three times World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop are the gold medallists who opted to fly directly to Europe for the Diamond League due September 3 in Zurich and September 11 in Brussels.
This was the first time, Kenya had topped the medal standing at the Championships, beating heavyweights Jamaica and the United States of America. Jamaica settled for second with 7-2-3 while the United States was third with 5-6-6.