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Kayange reflects on unforgettable honour of presenting Fiji 7s players with their silver medals at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic games
Kenya 7s legend Humphrey Kayange recently experienced a momentous occasion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games when he was bestowed the honor of awarding Fiji their silver medals.
The Fijian team, known for their dominance in rugby sevens, fell short of claiming a third successive gold medal, losing to a spirited French team driven by home support and the brilliance of Antoine Dupont.
Kayange, who retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2016 Olympics, has since transitioned into multiple administrative roles.
In 2021, he was appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission and subsequently became an IOC Member. His role at the Paris Olympics included the prestigious task of presenting the silver medals to the Fijian players.
Reflecting on the experience, Kayange expressed his profound appreciation for the honor.
“Going out there and awarding Fiji their medal is a moment I certainly will not forget. It really shapes up our role in sports and what we can do to further our involvement with different athletes from around the globe,” he told NTV.
The medal ceremony was particularly special for Kayange as he awarded medals to players he had shared the Olympic pitch with during the Rio 2016 Games, including Fijian rugby star Jerry Tuwai.
The two athletes, who have both left significant marks on the sport, shared a light-hearted conversation during the ceremony.
“It was a funny one with Jerry. We joked a little bit when I asked him ‘Are you still around here?’ and he said ‘we are still here!’” Kayange recounted.
“But it was good to see him, just how far he has come, his third Olympics. He was almost there for the third gold medal but the French were too strong for them. But you could see how much being at their third Olympics meant for them.”
Kayange’s involvement in the medal ceremony underscores the broader impact retired athletes can have within the sports community.
His transition from player to administrator exemplifies how former athletes can continue to shape the future of sports by engaging with athletes worldwide and contributing to the governance and promotion of their sports.
Humphrey Kayange’s honor of awarding Fiji their silver medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics is a testament to his enduring legacy in rugby and his influential role within the IOC.
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