A contingent of 13 athletes have arrived in Paris France for the Paralympics set to begin on august 28th to September 8th.
The team headed direct to Compiegne, where they will camp as they do their final preparations for the Games.
“I thank God for giving us journey mercies and enabling us to reach Paris safely. I also thank the Kenyan government for taking care of our needs as well and I can say we are ready for action, and will just be using the two-weeks training camp in Compiegne to polish up before we enter the Olympic Village on August 21,” Henry Kiprono Kirwa said.
Kiprono who previously won a Paralympic gold medal before becoming a coach, added: “Preparation back at home was good; I thank the government for the facilitation. We have prepared very well, better than during previous Paralympic Games. The next batch of athletes which will be bigger arrives tomorrow.”
Athlete Mary Njoroge Waithera who competes in the women T11 1500m said she was excited to be in her second Paralympic Games after making her debut during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“At the Tokyo Olympics I didn’t do very well because I was still a young athlete without experience since it was my first ever Olympic Games, but I have now learnt a lot from my coaches and fellow athletes and I have prepared very well for the Paris Games. I am confident of a podium finish,” Njoroge who has a personal best time of 4 minutes and 49 seconds said.
Kenya’s Sports Director Jaxon Indakwa who received the team at the Charles De Guele airport said every plans were in Compiegne were complete to ensure the Paralympic athletes are comfortable and have the best environment for training.
“The environment and facilities in Compiegne are good for the team’s training camp and the government has ensured that everything is in place even before they arrive,” Indakwa said.
Kenya will be represented by para-athletes in five disciplines at this year’s Games. This is the largest contingent with athletes’ competing in various categories, including 1500m T11, 5000m T11, 5000m T13, 1500m t46, Long Jump T37 and Javelin F12.
Two cyclists will compete in road racing, two athletes will represent Kenya in Taekwondo, there is one athlete who will take part in rowing and one will take part in the women’s up to 41kg power lifting category.