Eric Odanga
28 August 2008
Nairobi — Wilfred Bungei, the 800 metres Olympic champion, leads by example. As he stepped out of the Emirates Airline flight which landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday night, Bungei was mobbed by top Government officials and fans.
He took it all in stride but remained focused just like he did when he fended off a last stride by Sudanese Ismail Ahmed Ismail to clinch the gold.
After sweating it out with the dancers and fielding questions from a battery of journalists, the affable Bungei was composed as he addressed the athletes and officials at Simba Restaurant.
The athlete, who Vice-President Kalonzo Muysoka and Sports Minister Hellen Sambili referred to as very focused, joked that he was almost forgotten.
"I promised medals before departure and that the athletes were going to do much better than they did in Athens. It is a fitting performance for an athlete who is in the twilight of his career," Bungei said.
He gave credit to the athletes who sacrificed a lot explaining the silverware did not come on a silver platter. "Support by the Government and the corporate world was awesome. We need more," he said.
Consult athletes
After heaping praise on the athletes and officials, Bungei recalled that the medals were as a result of the good work by the coaches.
"I may get a big cheque but what about the coaches and officials? They should also be rewarded," Bungei urged.
He was not finished. "It is time we put the interest of athletes first before our personal ones. Whenever we have a function, we hardly consult the athletes. I urge you not to make a decision without consulting athletes," Bungei added.
The 800 metres Olympic champion also said care should be taken in equipping athletes. "Let's all work together. We went through a lot of difficulties. To the athletes, the country is looking at you. Focus on the future," he advised.
Coach Julius Kirwa would have liked to have more medals. "We planned well. The secret was good practice in the sweltering heat of Athi River, Ngong and Ruiru. It helped because the athletes did not suffer the effects of the weather in Beijing," Kirwa explained.
The coach remained humble saying that there was need for other qualified coaches to be brought to the fore.
"I would continue coaching if AK retains me but for the moment, it is good to have brought back smiles on the faces of Kenyans," the coach acknowledged.
Remedial measure
He was also concerned about the performance by other disciplines. "Our boxers also tries. The techniques have changed. We need more disciplines and athletes in the field events," the coach noted.
Kirwa would like the coaches to be in constant communication and share the workload. "It was wonderful and satisfying. We missed some medals but there is always another chance," the coach said.
The coach remembers handing over water to Olympic women's silver medallist Catherine Ndereba and urging her to add more effort.
"I told her she could close on the athlete who was ahead and responded well but it was late," Kirwa recalled.
He also shed light on why Grace Momanyi was sent back. "In Beijing, Momanyi did not respond to training well and we could not take a gamble.
In Kenya, you can get good results from any of the top 10 athletes which is a difficult call for a coach," Kirwa admitted.
As a remedial measure, two athletes Linette Masai and Irene Chelagat who did not attain the qualifying mark during the national trials were given permission to race in Europe and qualify.
Kirwa was not surprised by Nancy Jebet's gold in 1,500 metres. "She trained well and peaked at the right moment," the coach said. He praised Bungei.
"He was fired up and knew what to do. Wanjiru was simply great but Edith Masai had a headache and Martin Lel was boxed out," he explained.
But even as Kirwa and company were enjoying the fruits of their labour, they admitted interference from other quarters he declined to say.
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