Africa Men’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and national women’s volleyball team captain Triza Atuka have termed the decision to pick them as Team Kenya’s flag bearers Malkia an honour that they look forward to executing to the latter.
Omanyala and Atuka will be among over 100 teams that will be on parade during the opening ceremony which will be held on River Sein marching through Paris.
Almost 100 boats carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes will float along the Seine during the parade. The larger of the 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) represented in the parade will have boats to themselves, while the smaller ones will share boats.
‘’Millions of people will be watching the Olympics so them seeing me before going to the track is a privilege and thanks to those who picked me’’ remarked Omanyala.
Omanyala is looking forward to paint a true representation of Team Kenya which is represented by over 70 athletes.
‘’I pray that God uses me and uses that flag as representation of who we are and uses me as a vessel to bring blessings to the country. Being a flag bearer, I believe that it’s going to be successful Olympics for team Kenya’’, Omanyala remarked.
Malkia Striker’s captain and middle blocker Triza Atuka said the act fullsfils her long time dream of being at the Olympic Games.
‘’Being there is adream come true to the volleyball fraternity as a whole its historical and something worth remembering in my life and an honour too’’ Atuka remarked.
Team Kenya is set to wear a ceremonial outfit designed by Kenyan designers and unveiled by President William at Stat House on July 1th.
‘’We will do it better and we will have an opportunity to showcase our culture as team Kenya’’, Atuka opined adding that the moment will signify a critical time for the team just before the games kick off ‘’ For the team and Malkia its a time to realize that we are here and its time to achieve what they have been working for’’.
Malkia Strikers will begin their Olympic quests against Brazil on Monday before playing Poland On Wednesday July 31st and wind up her group B campaign against Japan August 3rd.
Meanwhile Ferdinand Omanyala will be hoping to go one better at this year’s Olympic Games after finishing 8th at the Tokyo 2020 Games. In Paris Omanyala will have to be at his best though against a line up that includes World Champion USA’s Noah Lyles and defending Champion Italian Marcel Jacobs.
The field also includes Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson who has run the fastest time this year with 9.77 seconds as well as Great Brittain’s Darnel Hughes who won Bronze in Budapest in 2023.
The 100m schedule kicks off on August 2nd at the Stade De France.
