Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Athletics

Have you ever realized this; athletes are the mostly highly paid people in the world! An athlete can earn US $ 1million in a space of 10 seconds. The notable examples are Usain Bolt, Haile Gabreselasie, Paul Tergat, Pamela Jelimo, Marion Jones. No country has ever produced excellent, talented and ambitious athletes than Kenya. The story of most of this athletes is what I can refer to as " from rags to riches" , who really worked hard and focused on their  regular training.
Most people do not understand the pain which an athlete goes through training. I must recognize the contribution that Bro. Colm O'Connell - my Headmaster during my High School days at St. Patrick's High School - Iten - has achieved in training some of the best athletes in the World. Mathew Birir
Peter Rono (1988 olympics gold, 1500m), Matthew Birir (1992 olympics gold, 3000m steeplechase), Wilson Kipketer (800m world champion 2000, and world record holder), Wilson Boit Kipketer (former world record holder, 3000m steeplechase and 2001 world champion), Wilberforce Talel (2003 world champion, 10,000m),Peter Rono (1988 olympics gold, 1500m), Matthew Birir (1992 olympics gold, 3000m steeplechase), Wilson Kipketer (800m world champion 2000, and world record holder), Wilson Boit Kipketer (former world record holder, 3000m steeplechase and 2001 world champion), Wilberforce Talel (2003 world champion, 10,000m), , Joseph Saina, Kipkoech and Charles Cheruiyot, Ibrahim Hussein ( Boston Marathon champion) William Kosgei Chemitei and Joseph Tengelei.Joseph Saina, Kipkoech and Charles Cheruiyot, William Kosgei Chemitei, Joseph Tengelei, Benson Koech, Sammy Biwott, Kipruto Maru, the list is endless!Sally Barsosio, Tecla Lorupe, Helen Kimaiyo, Salina Chirchir, Lorna Kiplagat, Vivian Cheruiyot also passed through the Irish coach.
Bro Colm is arguably the most successful coach in Kenya. He has been training world class champions in athletics and in academics - as a teacher and a coach at St. Patrick's since 1976 - a truly remarkable success. For over 40 years he has been a great service Kenya and he is still focusing on training and nurturing new talents. Atleast my former Headmaster and Geography teacher really deserves a pat on his back if not more!

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