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Eugene Omalla, a former school rugby star in Kenya, has expressed his delight at the season he has had after winning Olympics gold for the Netherlands.
Eugene Omalla has reflected on a historic season that saw him transition from a high school rugby winger to an Olympic champion for the Netherlands in athletics.
The Ugandan born star, who played rugby in the prestigious Prescott Cup in Kenya for Rift Valley Academy, made an incredible leap from the rugby pitch to the Olympic track, culminating in a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Omalla’s Olympic triumph came in the 4x400 meters mixed relay, where he ran the first leg for the Netherlands, a team anchored by the exceptional Femke Bol. Omalla, along with teammates Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, and Bol, clocked a winning time of 3:07.43, narrowly edging out Team USA, who finished in 3:07.74 to claim silver.
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08:00 - 06.08.2024
Eugene Omalla: How Dutch sprinter who won Olympic gold in mixed relay used to play rugby in Kenya
Omalla may be an Olympic champion now for the Netherlands, but he represented Uganda earlier in his career and also played rugby for Kenya's Rift Valley Academy as a high schooler.
The thrilling race at Stade de France made history for the Dutch team, with Omalla playing a pivotal role.
In the heats on August 2, Omalla also started the relay, helping the Netherlands secure second place in their heat with a time of 3:10.81. His remarkable consistency throughout the competition showcased his growth as an elite sprinter, a journey that started in a very different sport.
Reflecting on his season through an Instagram post, Omalla expressed gratitude for his dream year, stating: "Some of my favorites as I officially close out my 2024 season. After taking some time to reflect, I feel extremely blessed. Dreams turned into reality. None of it would have been possible without my amazing support system."
He continued by acknowledging those who played significant roles in his success: “Thank you to the remarkable coaches, trainers, nutritionists, performance psychologists, teammates, close friends, and family. And to everyone who supported me—thank you. Above all, thank you Jesus.”
Eugene Omalla’s sporting journey began not on the track but on the rugby field. In 2017, he played as a winger for Rift Valley Academy in the Kenya Rugby Union Prescott Cup.
At the time, few could have predicted that this talented young rugby player would eventually become a world-class athlete in track and field, much less an Olympic gold medalist.
However, Omalla’s decision to switch to athletics proved to be a masterstroke. Focusing on the 400 meters, he began to make waves in the sport, particularly excelling in sprinting events.
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His athletic breakthrough came in May 2023, when he set a personal best of 46.06 seconds in the outdoor 400 meters. He followed that up by setting a new African continental record for the indoor 400 meters, clocking an impressive 45.18 seconds at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Omalla, who is currently based in Kansas and attends Kansas State University, added to his school’s Olympic legacy by earning the Wildcats' 10th Olympic medal, and their fourth gold.
His performances at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, further solidified his reputation as a rising star. He competed in both the 400 meters and the 4x400 relay, finishing the individual event with a time of 46.37 seconds.
Looking ahead, Omalla remains optimistic and determined to achieve even more in his athletic career. He concluded his reflection with a promise for the future: “Next year will be my best one yet.”
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