Team Kenya’s head coach, Julius Kirwa, has attributed the mixed performances of the country’s athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris to sudden changes in weather conditions.
Kirwa pointed out that the team, which initially trained in the sweltering heat of Miramas, faced a stark contrast in Paris, where unpredictable weather posed a significant challenge.
"The transition from Miramas to Paris was very different," Kirwa said.
"Miramas was too hot, but Paris had a mix of both extremes, and that affected us. The change in weather conditions was something we hadn’t fully anticipated, and it impacted the athletes’ performances."
During the training camp in Miramas, temperatures soared above 35°C (95°F), with athletes enduring intense heat as they prepared for the games.
However, when they arrived in Paris, the weather became more unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
The sudden shift from the scorching heat of Miramas to the cooler, fluctuating temperatures in Paris added an unexpected layer of difficulty for the athletes.
Despite the challenges, Kirwa expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the team.
"We are happy with what we got, but we know we can do better in Los Angeles 2028," he said.
"If someone runs their personal best, there is nothing else we can do to expand that. They were trained and ready to represent us."
Kirwa emphasized that the team’s officials and medical staff played a crucial role in helping the athletes cope with the changing weather conditions.
"Things were really difficult in France, but as we stand here as officials who accompanied the athletes to Paris, we prioritized communication to ensure that the athletes performed well," he noted.
"Sitting inside the house was difficult, but the doctors and officials we had advised us on how to cope with the weather."
He also mentioned that the team has already started planning for future events.
"We have all written a report on how we will plan for the future. We have seen that it was difficult, and we must sit down with the federation and analyze a few things. If it was not for the great coordination, we would have come back without any accolades," Kirwa added.
As the focus now shifts to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Kirwa remains optimistic.
The lessons learned from Paris, particularly regarding the impact of weather on performance, will be critical as Team Kenya prepares for the next games.
