Maasai maverick Koitatoi Kidali sets ambitious target ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Maasai maverick Koitatoi Kidali sets ambitious target ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Abigael Wafula 15:35 - 13.07.2024

Koitatoi Kidali hopes to extend the Maasai legacy in the 800m as he makes his Olympic debut in Paris, France alongside Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Wycliffe Kinyamal.

Koitatoi Kidali hopes to extend the Maasai legacy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following in the footsteps of world record holder David Rudisha.

Rudisha won back-to-back Olympics titles at London 2012 Rio 2016 Games before hanging his spikes in 2017. Kidali, the latest 800m on the block will be hoping to follow the footsteps of his tribesman Rudisha.

Kidali will be making his Olympic debut in Paris and has already set a target ahead of the global showpiece. The 21-year-old did not expect to make the Olympic team going into the trials. He just wanted to run well and luckily, he finished third and sealed a ticket to Paris.

The Maasai maverick says his body is responding well to training and is currently making final touches, working on his speed endurance.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X (Twitter) handle for more updates.

“I’m just praying that I remain in good shape so I can be able to get in the final. At the moment, I can’t predict the medal I’ll win but we shall see because I have my own plans but God has the final say. My body is responding well and I’m basically focusing on speed endurance,” he said.

He believes that being an Olympian, even without a medal, is always a great honour.

“I always just here that the Olympic Games are a huge thing but, in my mind, I want to be the best. I can’t say that being an Olympian is one of the greatest things,” he said.

“I don’t know what the Olympics is all about but I know people who have been there are special but I can’t brag about it since there are many people who are Olympians.”