The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has finally unveiled the comprehensive list of individuals making up the country’s delegation to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a statement released on July 18th, the ministry provided a detailed breakdown of the delegation, which will consist of a total of 135 members.
This includes a contingent of 81 athletes who will represent Kenya in various sporting disciplines at the prestigious international event.
Among the notable athletes included in the delegation are some of Kenya’s most celebrated sports stars, such as Eliud Kipchoge, Ferdinand Omanyala, Faith Kipyegon, Mary Moraa, and Benson Kipruto.
These athletes are expected to be among the country’s medal contenders at the Paris Olympics.
List of non-athletes
The delegation will also feature 54 non-athlete members including:
- 3 heads of delegation (the Sports PS, and one representative each from the National Assembly & Senate)
- 9 management team members (with various roles in Games Management based on the Olympic functional areas)
- 5 Olympic Committee representatives (representing International Olympic Committee in Country and International Federation),
- 3 technical officials (International Federation appointed technical officials referees and umpires
- 8 psychotherapists,
- 2 doctors,
- 1 chief medical officer,
- 6 team managers,
- 25 coaches,
- 1 trainer.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge & Other Kenyan Stars Unveiled Ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics
The announcement comes after a period of public outcry and demands for greater accountability and transparency in the selection process.
Kenyans had previously expressed concerns about the potential inclusion of “joyriders” in the delegation, which could have led to the misuse of public resources.
Dennis Ombachi Calls Out NOCK
One such Kenyan was renowned chef Dennis Ombachi who in a statement on July 16 called out Athletics Kenya and the National Olympic Committee (NOCK) over concerns on the list of attendees.
He demanded that the NOCK publish the full list of officials travelling to France as well as their budgetary allocations for the Paris Games.
“Good morning @athletics_kenya @OlympicsKe just because @AbabuNamwamba vacated office doesn’t mean the public has forgotten that you already have official joyriders in #ParisOlympics2024,” said Ombachi.
‘We are still demanding for accountability on the public resources that will be spent,” he said.
Ababu Namwamba Responds to Pressure
Former CS Ababu Namwamba responded to the growing concerns in a statement issued on July 11, stating that he had directed NOCK to make public the list following a Preparatory and Management Committee (PMC).
“NOCK should expedite finalization of the Team Kenya delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympics comprised of athletes, officials and medics, detailing the specific role of each member of the delegation.”
Also Read: Ababu Namwamba Speaks After Uproar Over Olympics Delegation
“The delegation to be kept at the barest minimum as directed by myself and affirmed by the PMC. The priority is athletes, their coaches and medics,” he said.
The former CS also instructed NOCK to rationalize the provisional budget initially agreed upon by NOCK and the Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum.
He emphasized that the public disclosure of the Team Kenya delegation is in line with the government’s transparency and accountability policy.
“Do further note that in line with the Government’s transparency and accountability policy, the full Team Kenya delegation should be made public by NOCK,” he said.
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