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Medal celebrations unite a fractured Kenya
Kenyans forgot their ethnic tensions and took to the streets to celebrate the seven medals their athletes have so far collected at the Games.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:32 August 19, 2008
Beijing: Kenyans forgot their ethnic tensions and took to the streets to celebrate the seven medals their athletes have so far collected at the Games.
Kenya has a history of excellence in athletics on the track and on Monday it bagged two golds, one silver and a bronze prompting countrywide celebrations.
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won gold in the men's 3,000 metre steeplechase while Pamela Jelimo won the women's 800 metres.
Members of different ethnic groups put their differences aside and were drinking and partying together.
"People were out there, especially in the areas where the athletes live. There was a lot of jubilation," said Robert Ouko, a gold medallist in the 4x400 metre relay at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
"Sport is an extremely unifying force and makes us forget others are from a different tribe. Where we were afraid and suspicious, we became unified if only for a moment," he said.
A disputed election in east African nation in December led to ethnic violence.
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