President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday received representatives of the triumphant Kenyan contingent to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and announced cash rewards of Shs 1 million, 750,000 and 500,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists respectively.
The Head of State further announced a uniform token of Shs 200,000 for all athletes and officials, including the Paralympics team, participating in delayed Summer Games.
President Uhuru Kenyatta rewards athletes who got medals in the Tokyo Olympics.
KSh. 1M, 750,000 and 500,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists respectively.#TeamKenya🇰🇪#YouAreTheReason🇰🇪
Photo Courtesy: pic.twitter.com/rqJtKQNzVI— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) August 16, 2021
The President thanked the Olympians for their outstanding performances that saw Kenya top the African medal chart, and challenged the sporting fraternity to ensure the country continues to excel on the global stage.
Kenya was the best African nation and 19th overall, with 10 medals – four gold, four silver and two bronze – all panned from athletics.
Curtains were drawn on the 32nd Olympic Games, with Tokyo organisers overcoming huge challenges, most significantly rising coronavirus cases and growing opposition to the staging of the world’s greatest sporting spectacle.
Emmanuel Korir (800 metres), Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon (1,500m) alongside marathon runners Peres Jepchirchir and Eliud Kipchoge mined gold, with Hellen Obiri (5,000m), Ferguson Rotich (800m), Timothy Cheruiyot (1,500m) and Brigid Kosgei securing silver.
The bronze medal winners were Hyvin Kiyeng and Benjamin Kigen, both in the 3,000m steeplechase.