The first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800m women race, Pamela Jelimo, yesterday received her bronze medal that was presented to her at the historic pillars of the Kenyan heritage building.
The 2008 Africa 800m and 2012 World Indoor 800m champion, who finished fourth in 1:57.59 was emotional as she received her award,
The ceremony which was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba, NOC_K president, Dr. Paul Tergat and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Kipchoge Keino, IOC Olympic Solidarity Pamela Vipond and Gonzalo Barrio who are currently in the country to hold consultative meetings with NOC-K.
Three athletes so far have received an upgrade of their performance in the 2012 London Games, a result of winner Mariya Savinova from Russia, who was stripped of the gold medal for doping.
“My children can now watch me receive the bronze medal, 10 years later. This is like a dream; I initially didn’t believe it when I heard the good news. It’s truly a dream of every athlete to win a medal in the Olympics and I’m honored to have my parents accompany me and share this joy.” She said.
Following this, South Africa’s Caster Semenya and another Russian Ekaterina Poistogova, who had settled for silver and bronze moved to Gold and silver respectively.
This resulted in “Eldoret express”, World Champion in the race, Janeth Jepkosgei moving into 8th position and receiving an IOC Diploma certificate.
The third athlete to receive a certificate is 5,000 Olympic Silver medalist Hellen Obiri who scooped 8th position in the London Olympics.
“I remember 2012, since it was my first Olympics, my expectations were high honestly, however I didn’t sniff the medal bracket. So humbled to receive the upgrade and this is a motivation to fellow athletes to run clean.” She said.
On receiving this, the New York Marathon debutant told the NOC-K she’s liking her new career in Marathon and exclusively reported she will indeed be going for the Paris 2024 Marathon to ensure an Olympic Gold medal (the only medal she’s missing) is in her cabinet.
“Inspire a Generation.’’ Was the motto for the 2012 London Olympic Games, and indeed the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800m women race, Pamela Jelimo, has proven the theme as she received her bronze medal in her home country surrounded by the Olympic family under the historic pillars of the Kenyan heritage building.
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