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Ferdinand Omanyala’s Olympics ended at the semi-final yet again but there is more about him to be celebrated given the journey he has been on.
Ferdinand Omanyala once again failed in his attempt at making history on a grand stage following his failure to make it to the 100m final at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
Omanyala could only finish eighth in his semi-final heat that had eventual silver and bronze medallists Kishane Thompson and Fred Kerley, making it a second straight Olympics in which he exited at the semis.
In Tokyo three years ago, an inexperienced Omanyala could not go past the semis and there were hopes of a change in fortunes in Paris but lighting struck twice.
It comes a year after Omanyala made it to the final of the 2023 World Championships but finished a disappointing seventh.
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22:59 - 04.08.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Ferdinand Omanyala's medal hopes collapse following dissapointing eighth place finish in 100m semis
Ferdinand Omanyala finished second last on 10.08 seconds, with Jamaica's Kishane Thompson easily winning the third semi-final on 9.80 seconds.
This was a massive setback for the 28-year-old who worked tirelessly to ensure he had a successful Olympics.
The Commonwealth champion changed coaches at the start of the year and teamed up with Geoffrey Kimani and also scaled down on his races as well as the big talk to keep himself in optimum conditions for the Olympics.
All seemed well as he clocked the second fastest time of the year, 9.79, heading to Paris and had a good start in the heats before it came tumbling down in the semi-final.
While Kenyans are right to feel disappointed and ask the hard questions, the truth is that Omanyala has surpassed expectations as he broke the glass ceiling since 100m is not a race Kenyans have ever had a chance in with American and Caribbean nations dominating the distance.
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06:45 - 05.08.2024
'They robbed Kishane'- Angry Jamaican fans react to Noah Lyles' triumph over Kishane Thompson at Paris Olympics
The fans took to their social media handles, with some claiming that Noah Lyles was not the rightful winner of the men's 100m final at the Paris Olympics.
Omanyala has taken on Americans and Jamaicans, and beaten some of them, while posting some of the best times in the world with not as much support and facilities as what his rivals have.
He is already the first Kenyan to break the 10-second barrier in 100m, reached the semi-final at the Olympics twice, made it to the final of the World Championships, and won the country’s first Commonwealth gold over the distance in the Games’ 60-year history.
It was tough luck for him in Paris but Kenyans should be thankful that he has made them dream which is an inspiration to many budding sprinters in the country.
At 28, he still has time to make amends and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo offers an immediate opportunity to right his wrongs.
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11:04 - 05.08.2024
Noah Lyles’ girlfriend Junelle Bromfield risks wrath of Jamaicans as she chooses love over country
Jamaican fans were seemingly not happy to see Junelle Bromfield wish her boyfriend further success at the Olympics after his dramatic win over Kishane Thompson in the 100m final.
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