04:39Kenyan runners Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday after securing three golds and one silver of 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Footage shows locals singing and dancing in traditional clothes while waiting for the medalists to arrive at the airport. Supporters were seen meeting Kenyan runners with flowers and hugging them, as some were crying. The athletes could also be seen taking photos with fans outside the airport.
"My biggest goal was to defend my title over 1,500 (metres) and make history, and I really thank God I could come out after frustration and disappointment over 5,000 (metres)," shared Kipyegon, a middle-distance runner who won silver in 5,000 metres but set a world's record in 1,500 metres.
"It was really, really emotional for me. I don't know how I came out and still performed, how I performed in 1,500 metres and made history," she shared, adding that 'it was a big achievement' to become an inspiration for the next generation.
Beatrice Chebet, a long-distance runner who won two gold medals in 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, highlighted that "it was not easy, but it's just a matter of believing in yourself, focus and perseverance in everything you do, and being disciplined and hard-working."
"These athletes put us on the world map by being the second best when it comes to track events. We are also the best in Africa," stated Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenyan Sports Cabinet Secretary, elaborating that out of eight gold medals received by the entire continent, 'half is in Kenya'.
Kenya was ranked 17th out of 180 nations and first among African teams, winning four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals in the 2024 Olympics, which concluded in Paris on August 11.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
'Best in Africa' - Locals meet Kenyan Olympic medallists with songs and dances in Nairobi
Kenyan runners Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday after securing three golds and one silver of 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Footage shows locals singing and dancing in traditional clothes while waiting for the medalists to arrive at the airport. Supporters were seen meeting Kenyan runners with flowers and hugging them, as some were crying. The athletes could also be seen taking photos with fans outside the airport.
"My biggest goal was to defend my title over 1,500 (metres) and make history, and I really thank God I could come out after frustration and disappointment over 5,000 (metres)," shared Kipyegon, a middle-distance runner who won silver in 5,000 metres but set a world's record in 1,500 metres.
"It was really, really emotional for me. I don't know how I came out and still performed, how I performed in 1,500 metres and made history," she shared, adding that 'it was a big achievement' to become an inspiration for the next generation.
Beatrice Chebet, a long-distance runner who won two gold medals in 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, highlighted that "it was not easy, but it's just a matter of believing in yourself, focus and perseverance in everything you do, and being disciplined and hard-working."
"These athletes put us on the world map by being the second best when it comes to track events. We are also the best in Africa," stated Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenyan Sports Cabinet Secretary, elaborating that out of eight gold medals received by the entire continent, 'half is in Kenya'.
Kenya was ranked 17th out of 180 nations and first among African teams, winning four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals in the 2024 Olympics, which concluded in Paris on August 11.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
Kenyan runners Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday after securing three golds and one silver of 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Footage shows locals singing and dancing in traditional clothes while waiting for the medalists to arrive at the airport. Supporters were seen meeting Kenyan runners with flowers and hugging them, as some were crying. The athletes could also be seen taking photos with fans outside the airport.
"My biggest goal was to defend my title over 1,500 (metres) and make history, and I really thank God I could come out after frustration and disappointment over 5,000 (metres)," shared Kipyegon, a middle-distance runner who won silver in 5,000 metres but set a world's record in 1,500 metres.
"It was really, really emotional for me. I don't know how I came out and still performed, how I performed in 1,500 metres and made history," she shared, adding that 'it was a big achievement' to become an inspiration for the next generation.
Beatrice Chebet, a long-distance runner who won two gold medals in 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, highlighted that "it was not easy, but it's just a matter of believing in yourself, focus and perseverance in everything you do, and being disciplined and hard-working."
"These athletes put us on the world map by being the second best when it comes to track events. We are also the best in Africa," stated Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenyan Sports Cabinet Secretary, elaborating that out of eight gold medals received by the entire continent, 'half is in Kenya'.
Kenya was ranked 17th out of 180 nations and first among African teams, winning four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals in the 2024 Olympics, which concluded in Paris on August 11.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.