Kenya’s Koitatoi Kidali reflects on his Olympic debut in Paris learning from competing alongside top athletes like Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop.
Budding 800m runner Koitatoi Kidali has shared his experiences and the valuable lessons learned from his debut at the Paris Olympics.
Competing against some of the best athletes in the world, including the eventual Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Canadian sensation Marco Arop, provided a profound learning curve for the young athlete.
Kidali’s journey at the Olympics was a mix of highs and lows as, despite a spirited performance, he was eliminated in the men’s 800m repechage round, finishing sixth.
This result did not secure him a spot in the semifinals, where he had hoped to make a mark but Kidali is far from discouraged.
“I thank God for the opportunity to compete at the Paris Olympics. I am satisfied with what I managed to achieve considering it was my first time as an Olympian. It is something for which I worked hard,” Kidali reflected in an interview with Capital Sports.
The ‘Maasai Maverick’ had a standout moment during the second heat of the competition, finishing fifth with a time of 1:45.84 just shy of advancing.
Upon returning to Kenya, Kidali received a hero’s welcome at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Celebrated by his family and supporters, he was lifted shoulder-high, an acknowledgment of his efforts and the pride he brought to his nation.
Kidali’s path to the Olympics was marked by a string of performances that saw him evolve from a national athlete to an international contender.
After a commanding win at the third Athletics Kenya weekend meet, he faced a setback at the trials for the African Games, finishing fifth.
However, he did not let this deter him and his journey continued in Europe, where he participated in competitions in Spain and Germany, gathering experience and resilience.
Initially starting his career as a sprinter, Kidali has gradually transitioned to middle-distance running, seeing more opportunities in the 800m.
Looking ahead, he plans to diversify his focus to include longer distances like the 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, and eventually the marathon.
