A blog about African history, and heritage, through audio and video files.
Author: Dr. Y.
I am an African in love with the history of the world, and particularly that of Africa. I am a child of love, an artist, a scientist, a lover, a friend, a human.
I am in love with nature and beautiful things, art, history, geography, travel, dance, food, science, and technology, and much more.
This week, we will talk about Faith Kipyegon, our Kenyan sister who made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics as the first African athlete to earn a gold medal in the same discipline three times in a row: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024. This is a remarkable feat never achieved before by an African, and only a select few athletes in the world can claim such in any Olympic discipline. She said, “It’s a big, big achievement. I was really looking forward to defending my title. I had a dream, I completed it. … I managed to make history, to win the gold medal in the 1500. It was my key target. I’m so, so grateful.” And Faith went further by setting a new Olympic record in the event with a time of 3:51.29. She is considered one of the greatest 1,500m athletes the world has ever seen, and has dominated the field for the past 7 years. Moreover, she has a gracious presence which makes her endearing to her fellow competitors. She is nicknamed the “smilingdestroyer.”
Faith Kipyegon winning historic 3rd gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics (source: Kelly Ayodi for Olympics Kenya – EastleighVoice.co.ke)
She posted on X,
“Track History Made in Kenya Three successive Olympic titles in women’s 1500m : Rio-2016, Tokyo-2020, Paris-2024
It has taken DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK, DEDICATION, CONSISTENCY and FAITH
Praise be to God Thanks for the love“
Flag of Kenya
Born in 1994 on a rural Kenyan farm in Nakuru County in the Rift Valley, Kipyegon, like so many Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners, walked and jogged many miles to and from school. She grew up exposed to a culture of running in her family (her elder sister Beatrice Mutai is a 10km and half marathon specialist, her dad Samuel Kipyegon Koech was a 400m and 800m runner, whole her mother was also in athletics) and community. Her talent was identified early on by her physical education (P.E.) teacher. By the time she was 16, she had already placed 4th in the World Cross Country championships. She trains in Kaptagat and shares the same coach, Patrick Sang, as another great Eliud Kipchoge. She is also a mother of a beautiful daughter, and on the year she came back from maternity in 2019, she won at the Diamond League in Oregon. She owes her success to, as she says, hard work, discipline, dedication, consistency and faith, but also to the great Kenya’s athletics training system which has given us phenomenal distance runners over the years.
Now onto further victories for Faith, for Kenya, and for Africa as whole. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are around the corner. Let’s keep working hard, consistently, in a discipline manner, and with faith.
This past weekend, Senegal marked a milestone in its history by launching its very first satellite from the SpaceX launchpad in California in the USA. By this action, it has become one of 12 African nations to launch satellites to space.
The satellite, GAINDESAT-1A was built by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with the French Space Centre of Montpellier University (Centre Spatiale Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM)). It is a nanosatellite, launched into orbit with 115 others from different countries. This satellite will focus on collecting data for multiple state agencies including the Directorate for Water Resources Management and Planning (DGPRE) and the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency.
GAINDESAT-1A (Source: Space in Africa)
The country’s president Bassirou Diomaye Faye said the move marks a major step towards Senegal’s “technological sovereignty,” … he said on X, “I would like to express my pride and gratitude to all those who made this project possible.” Maram Kaïré, director of Senegal’s space agency, described the launch as “an important step and a historic day in our country’s progress and determination to become a space-faring nation”.
Tamirat Tola wins Men’s Marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics (Source: afrik.com)
There were many awesome stories at Paris 2024 Olympics. Many athletes surpassed themselves, broke new records, and set new firsts. The Olympics are over, but over the next few weeks, we will highlight those whose story may inspire us to get even better at what we do in our day-to-day lives. One athlete whose story particularly touched us was Ethiopian Tamirat Tola. Why?
Abebe Bikila on the podium during the 1960 Olympics in Rome, after winning the gold medal in the marathon, and surrounded by Rhadi Ben Abdesselam of Morocco (silver) and Barry Magee of New Zealand (Bronze)
Tamirat Tola is not a stranger to the Olympics: he was a bronze medalist in the Men’s 10,000 m at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He has had many victories since then, more recently winning the 2023 New York CityMarathon, and coming 3rd at the 2023 London Marathon. However, his performances this year were not enough for him to make it into the Ethiopian team selected for this year’s Olympics/Marathon. Ethiopia is a powerhouse for long distance runners, producing some of the best runners in the world: there is no secret that since Abebe Bikila: Emperor of the Distance and Running Barefoot, the world of long distance has been partially dominated by Ethiopia (and Kenya). So in a powerhouse team, Tola’s performance this year was not enough to make the cut. This makes it so that some of the best athletes may not make the cut for the team even though they are very good, and would be outstanding for other countries.
Tamirat Tola crosses the finish line at the Paris 2024 Olympics winning the gold medal and setting a new Olympic Record (Source: EthiopiansToday.com)
Two weeks prior to the Men’s Marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tola was added to the team as a substitute for teammate Sisay Lemma, winner of this year’s Boston Marathon, who had been injured. Teams are selected weeks ahead of the Olympics, and Tola was just selected 2 weeks prior. He made the best of this second chance and won the gold medal at the Olympics in a very hilly route billed extremely difficult with inclines as steep as 13%. Tola also set up an Olympic Record in 2 hours 6 minutes 26 seconds. His win also marks Ethiopia’s first gold medal in the event since Sydney 2000. He said, “I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay had injuries then I had a chance, … I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfil my dream. I am very proud, very happy.” Indeed, it was an opportunity given to him by his teammate, and Tola acknowledged his teammate in his victory. “Sisay told me that it was better for him to drop out and for me to compete. He said, ‘You can do better than me in my condition.’ … It is thanks to him. This victory also belongs to him for giving me this opportunity.… I am happy today because I fulfilled my goal, … I prepared well. I trained hard so I could win. In my life, this is my great achievement.”
Tola’s victory inspired us to remember to always be ready, one never knows when a second chance will come, be ready, stay ready, and make the best of it.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have just ended, and African athletes have shined in usual disciplines i.e. those where we are used to seeing them, but also on those never conquered before. They made us proud and served us joy, endurance, and passion. At these games, we also saw more Africans representing other countries European and even Asian and winning medals: Bahrain, Qatar, Japan, Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Canada, US, … and winning for them as well. In essence, Africa shined a lot! For this article, our focus will be on African athletes representing the continent.
Faith Kipyegon (Source: StarConnectMedia)
We had faith in our Kenyan sister Faith Kipyegon… and she delivered: Faith won her 3rd successive Olympic gold in the women’s 1500 m, making her the first African to ever win gold in the same event 3 times in a row. Last Monday, she had won silver in a very contested Women’s 5000 m at the Olympics, where she was first disqualified for track obstruction, and then reinstated as the silver medal winner after appeal by the Kenyan federation. Her compatriot Beatrice Chebet won the first Kenyan gold medal of these Olympics in the Women’s 5000 m, and proved unbeatable in the Women’s 10,000 m delivering gold there as well. Mary Moraa, Faith Cherotich, and Hellen Obiri all took home the bronze medal in the Women’s 800 m, Women’s 3000m steeplechase, and in the Women’s Marathon respectively. EmmanuelWanyonyi won gold in the Men’s 800 m. Ronald Kwemoi won silver in the Men’s 5000 m, while BensonKipruto and Abraham Kibiwot took home bronze in the Men’s Marathon and Men’s 3000m steeplechase respectively. In total, Kenya earned 11 olympic medals: 4 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronzes.
Letsile Tebogo after winning gold in 200m (Source: Onuaonline)
We had our eyes on Letsile Tebogo who missed out on the 100m podium, but earned the top most place in the Men’s 200 m thus giving Botswana and Africa as a whole its first ever gold medal in a 200 m. Since our brother Frankie Fredericks of Namibia who used to delight us, and always ended with silver, this is a very first. Tebogo also led the Botswana’s team to a silver medal in the Men’s 4x400m relay, again a first for any African country ever, letting the world know that Africans can no longer be discarded in these disciplines.
Joshua Cheptegei (Source: Dailyexpress.co.ug)
Before the Olympics, our Ugandan brother JoshuaCheptegei told us that this will be his last Olympics, and promised us magic. Cheptegei did not disappoint, he ran his heart out serving us a performance worthy of a novel, coming from behind to win gold in the Men’s 10,000 m, and landing Uganda its first gold at the games. Compatriot Peruth Chemutai won silver in the Women’s 3000m steeplechase.
South African team after 4 x 100m Relay win (Source: dispatchlive.co.za)
In swimming, Tatjana Smith of South Africa made her country proud by winning gold and silver medals in the Women’s200m and 100m breaststroke events; recall that Smith, born Schoenmaker, was the Tokyo 2020 Gold medalist in the 200m breaststroke category. South Africa also landed 2 bronze medals in rugby and mountain bike with Alan Hatherly. Although flag bearer Akani Simbineended 4th in a highly contested Men’s 100 m track and field, Simbine and the rest of his team delivered us silver in the Men’s 4 x 100 m relay, again a first for South Africa, and for Africa as a whole in winning a medal in the discipline. Jo-Ane van Dyk delivered silver in the Women’s javelin throw.
Algeria took home 2 gold and 1 bronze medals, one gold from the controversial athlete Imane Khelif who is said to be a man competing in female boxing, and another gold from Kaylia Nemour in the Women’s Uneven bars in artistic gymnastics. Nemour‘s victory is a first for Africans in gymnastics. DjamelSedjati took home the bronze medal in the Men’s 800 m.
Tamirat Tola wins Men’s Marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics (Source: afrik.com)
Tamirat Tola, who was just added to the Ethiopian Olympics’s team 2 weeks ago after his compatriot Sisay Lemma was injured, took home the gold medal in the Men’s Marathon, making Ethiopia and our legend Haile Gebrselassie who opened the marathon, proud. Berihu Aregawi won a silver medal for his participation in the Men’s 10,000 m. Tsige Duguma and Tigst Assefa both won silver in the Women’s 800 m, and the Women’s Marathon respectively.
Ahmed Elgendy wins gold in the first ever modern pentathlon (Source: TheTelegraph.com)
Egypt won 3 medals: 1 gold in the Men’s Modern Pentathlon with Ahmed Elgendy, 1 silver in Women’s 81kg weightlifting with Sara Ahmed, and 1 bronze in fencing with the Men’s individual Epee with Mohamed Elsayed. Elgendy‘s gold is the first gold medal for Egypt at any olympics, and a first in the discipline for an African athlete; he also becomes the first person to win in this brand new discipline at the Olympics.
Morocco delighted us when Soufiane El Bakkali won the gold medal in the Men’s 3000m steeplechase; and the Moroccan football (soccer) team, currently Africa’s highest ranked soccer team at number 4 (the senior men’s team) in the world’s ranking of football team, took home the bronze medal by defeating Egypt.
Tunisia reveled us with gold in Taekwondo in the Men’s 80 kg with Firas Katoussi, and bronze in the Men’s58 kg with Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi. Fares Ferjani won silver in Fencing the Men’s Individual Sabre.
Our dear brother Cheikh Sallah Cisse of Ivory Coast did not disappoint by taking the bronze medal in Taekwondo for Ivory Coast, in the Men’s 80kg; Cisse had given Côte d’Ivoire its very first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Cabo Verde got its very first medal at the Olympic games through David de Pina who won bronze in the Men’s 51 kgBoxing.
Muzala Samukonga of Zambia wins Bronze in the Men’s 400m (Source: pulsesports.ng)
Zambian Muzala Samukonga won the bronze medal in the Men’s 400m. This may be Zambia’s first medal at the Olympics; if not, it is Zambia’s first medal in the discipline ever. And the Zambian team also came out 4th in the Men’s 4 x 100 m relay one step short of a place on the podium; this tells you the future that this Zambian team holds if it perseveres.
We cannot wait to see Africa at the Los Angeles Games in 2028!
Hugues Fabrice Zango getting his triple jump (Source: bbc.co.uk)
The controversial opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has not dimmed the spirits of African athletes, they know that they are there to work and make their continent proud.
Before the beginning of the games, there were a few African athletes to watch out for:
Our golden athlete Hugues Fabrice Zango, the first gold medal of Burkina Faso, and representing us all on the triple jump. As a fun fact, Zango also recently defended his PhD thesis in Electrical Engineering, and looks to make the colors of his country shine again this year.
Faith Kipyegon (Source: StarConnectMedia)
Our loved one, Kenyan Faith Kipyegon… we all have faith in her to make us proud again. With 2 world titles won and 4 world records, Faith is hoping to win her 3rd successive Olympic gold in the women’s 1500m; if she manages to accomplish this, she will be the first African to even win gold in the same event 3 times in a row. On Monday, she already won silver in a very contested Women’s 5000 m at the Olympics, where she was first disqualified for track obstruction, and then reinstated as the silver medal winner after appeal by the Kenyan federation. Her compatriot Beatrice Chebet won the first Kenyan gold medal of these olympics.
The revelation is this year’s Eritrean athlete Biniam Girmay who has won stage events at the Tour de France, becoming the first African to ever do so, and also topping the points classification. We will be on the look out for him in cycling.
Letsile Tebogo (Source: SportNewsAfrica)
We had our eyes on Letsile Tebogo of Botswana who took silver in the 100m and bronze over 200m at the world championships; however, the 100m did not go well for Tebogo, but we are all throwing our support behind him for the 200m. Our young brother lost his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, his pillar and rock back in May, and we are sending him lots of love and support.
Blessing Oborududu of Nigeria is a wrestling baobab in Nigeria and Africa, with 14 continental titles, 4 commonwealth medals, and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, today, Oborududu lost on advancing to gold or silver, but will be competing for the Bronze medal tomorrow.
Flag of Uganda
Before the Olympics, our Ugandan brother Joshua Cheptegei told us that this will be his last Olympics, and promised us magic. Cheptegei did not disappoint, he ran his heart out serving us a performance worthy of a novel, he came from behind to win gold in the men’s 10,000m, and land Uganda its first gold at the games so far. Compatriot Peruth Chemutai won silver in the Women’s 3000m steeplechase, while Kenyan Faith Cherotich won the Bronze medal.
In swimming, Tatjana Smith of South Africa made her country proud by winning gold and silver medals in 200m and 100m breaststroke events. South Africa also landed 2 bronze medals in rugby and mountain bike with Alan Hatherly. Flag bearer Akani Simbine ended 4th in a highly contested 100m track and field men’s final.
I will write an article at the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics games to tally all our victories.
Vousêtes encore dans l’eau et vous essorez déjà vos vêtements (Proverbe Mongo – République Démocratique du Congo). – Ne vous croyez pas trop vite vainqueur.
You are still in the water and you are already wringing out your clothes (Mongo proverb – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)). – Don’t think yourself winner too quickly.
African Heritage 