Omanyala intensifies training ahead of Olympics season

By Peter Ochieng

Majority of sportsmen and women have taken some time off for the Christmas and New Year festivities, but not so for sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala.

Instead of resting, Africa's 100m record holder has intensified preparations for Olympic Games season, whose calendar starts in February, 2024.

He is among athletes expected to compete for the Paris Olympics 100m gold.

“We have a busy schedule ahead from February to September. I can't afford to rest at all. This is the only time I have enough time to train properly between now and February. That is why I’m working closely with my trainer to make sure I’m ready for the task ahead,” said Omanyala, the 100m Commonwealth Games champion.

Omanyala said he is yet to make up his mind, as far as taking part in the Kip Keino Classic in 2024 is concerned.

“I’m hoping the organisers for the event will be able to meet our standards because of course things have changed. I love competing at this event because I love to entertain Kenyans at home."

“The indoor races really helped in my sprint last season, and that was replicated in the outdoor races. I therefore hope to do a couple of indoor races next year,” he added.

The 2024 Summer Olympics is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in France, with Paris as the main host city and 16 other cities spread across metropolitan France.

After multiple withdrawals that left only Paris and Los Angeles in contention, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a process to concurrently award the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics to the two cities.

Having previously played host in 1900 and 1924, Paris will become the second city (after London) to host the Summer Olympics three times