Today is June 15, 2024.
The Kenyan Olympic Trials have been the last two days in Nairobi.
One of the most remarkable stories coming out of Nairobi is that of Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the World U20 Champion in 2021 and silver medalist, at the 2023 World Outdoor Champs in Budapest.
Wanyonyi had fallen in the semi-finals and did not make it to the finals until protection and reinstatement.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi used that final to run the third-fastest time in history!
Emmanuel Wanyonyi ran 1:41.70, the fastest time since 2012!
Wanyonyi is just behind WR holder David Rudisha (London Olympics 2012 fina, 1:40.91 WR), Wilson Kipketer (August 1997, Cologne GP, 1:41.11), and just ahead of one Seb Coe (Florence, 1981, 1:41.73, then WR).
This was the social post on Emmanuels’ fine run today in Nairobi:
This interview was done with Emmanuel Wanyonyi prior to the Budapest final in August 2023, where they took the silver medal!
How will he fare in Paris? Well, with this time, Emmanuel Wanyonyi could be the prohibitive favorite.
Wanyonyi talks about his plans for Budapest here; what will he plan for Paris?