Kenya at the Olympics: 1956 - 1996
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Date
1997
Authors
Njororai, W. W. S.
Kubai, J.P.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya has taken part in nine Olympiads since making her inaugural appearance
in 1956 during the Melbourne Games in Australia. To date, Kenya
has won a total of 47 medals, including 14 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze
medals. Majority of the medals (85 %) have been won in athletics with the
men's team accounting for 30 % of all the medals won. However, apart form
the athletes, Kenya has also been represented at the Olympics in six other
sport disciplines including boxing, field hockey, judo, shooting, weightlifting
and wrestling. Out of all these disciplines, medals have only been won in
athletics and boxing. Additionally, women have won only one medal. Thus,
out of seven different disciplines, Kenya has produced medal winners in only
athletics and boxing. Furthermore, the number of gold medals won at each
Olympiad has declined from 5 in 1988 Seoul Olympics to only one in the 1986
Atlanta Games. This decline could be attributed to, among others, the'
increasingly crowded athletics calendar leading to possible burnout, the
competitiveness of the Olympics trials in athletics leading to top contenders
being eliminated, the lack of control over the athletes by KAAA, the greed for
money in the grand prix circuit and the increased competition from other
countries in similar events. It is recommended that Kenya should diversify her
sports disciplines, improve her management of athletes, revive the declining
sports disciplines such as hockey and boxing, encourage and expose more
women athletes, and incorporate the scientific component in the coaching and
management of the athletes as well as other sports persons.
Description
A paper presented at the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and dance 3rd Scientific Congress held on 11th - 15th September, 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Scientific component, Grand prix, Olympiad, Burnout