Kenya At The 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya won a total of 14 medals, 6 of them gold, its best ever performance at the Olympics.

Kenya at the 2008 Summer Olympics
IOC code	KEN
NOC	National Olympic Committee of Kenya
in Beijing
Competitors	48 in 5 sports
Flag bearer	Grace Momanyi
Medals Ranked 13th	Gold 6 Silver 4 Bronze 6 Total 16
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976–1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024

Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes, 28 men and 18 women, to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women. The remaining medals won by Kenyans were four silver and six bronze medals. Among the nation's gold medalists was Brimin Kipruto, who brought home the nation's seventh straight medal in the steeplechase since 1984. Coming in at a close third was Richard Matelong who was unable to surpass the Frenchman Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad. Kenya also marked its Olympic debut in taekwondo by sending two athletes, one man and one woman. For the first time in Olympic history, the Kenyan athletes had participated in the women's 800 meter event final. Shortly after the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the women captured a gold medal against many odds. Along with the gold, they also took home the silver as well. Pamela Jelimo led her fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei to a one-two finish.

Marathon runner Samuel Wanjiru did not only bring home the gold medal for the Kenyans, but also broke the 24-year-old Olympic record set by Carlos Lopes.

The Kenyans finished the Olympics being the most successful African country in the Beijing Olympics, and 13th place in the overall country standings.

The following athletes have been selected for the Olympics:

Men

Athlete	Event	Heat		Semifinal		Final
		Result	Rank	Result	Rank	Result	Rank
Vincent Mumo Kiilu	400 m	46.79	7	Did not advance
Wilfred Bungei	800 m	1:44.90	1 Q	1:46.23	1 Q	1:44.65 SB
Boaz Kiplagat Lalang		1:45.72	2 Q	1:45.87	3	Did not advance
Alfred Yego		1:46.04	2 Q	1:44.73	1 Q	1:44.82
Augustine Choge	1500 m	3:35.47	3 Q	3:37.54	4 Q	3:35.50	10
Asbel Kiprop		3:41.28	1 Q	3:37.04	1 Q	3:33.11
Nicholas Kemboi		3:41.56	11	Did not advance
Eliud Kipchoge	5000 m	13:37.50	2 Q	—		13:02.80
Thomas Longosiwa		13:41.30	4 Q	—		13:31.34	12
Edwin Soi		13:46.41	1 Q	—		13:06.22
Micah Kogo	10000 m	—				27:04.11 SB
Moses Ndiema Masai		—				27:04.11 SB	4
Martin Mathathi		—				27:08.25 PB	7
Ezekiel Kemboi	3000 m steeplechase	8:17.55	4 Q	—		8.16.38	7
Brimin Kipruto		8:23.53	2 Q	—		8.10.34 SB
Richard Matelong		8:19.87	2 Q	—		8.11.01
Luke Kibet	Marathon	—				DNF
Martin Lel		—				2:10:24	5
Samuel Wanjiru		—				2:06:32 OR
David Kimutai	20 km walk	—				1:22:21	19

Women

Athlete	Event	Heat		Semifinal		Final
		Result	Rank	Result	Rank	Result	Rank
Elizabeth Muthuka	400 m	DNS		Did not advance
Pamela Jelimo	800 m	2:03.18	1 Q	1:57.31	2 Q	1:54.87
Janeth Jepkosgei		1:59.72	1 Q	1:57.28	1 Q	1:56.07 SB
Irene Jelagat	1500 m	4:09.92	9	—		Did not advance
Viola Kibiwot		4:15.62	5	—		Did not advance
Nancy Lagat		4:03.02 SB	1 Q	—		4:00.23 PB
Vivian Cheruiyot	5000 m	14:57.27	2 Q	—		15:46.32	5
Priscah Jepleting		14:58.07	4 Q	—		15:51.78	11
Sylvia Kibet		15:10.37	2 Q	—		15:44.96
Peninah Arusei	10000 m	—				31:39.87	18
Linet Masai		—				30:26.50
Lucy Wangui		—				30:39.96	7
Eunice Jepkorir	3000 m steeplechase	9:21.31	1 Q	—		9:07.41
Ruth Bosibori Nyangau		9:19.75	2 Q	—		9:17.35	6
Martha Komu	Marathon	—				2:27:23	5
Salina Jebet Kosgei		—				2:29:28	10
Catherine Ndereba		—				2:27:06

Key

• Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
• Q = Qualified for the next round
• q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
• NR = National record
• N/A = Round not applicable for the event
• Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Kenya qualified five boxers for the Olympic boxing tournament. Bilali was the only boxer to qualify at the first African qualifying event. The other four boxers all earned spots at the second African tournament. In addition, welterweight boxer Nickson Abaka qualified for the Olympics, but missed the event due to injury.

Athlete	Event	Round of 32	Round of 16	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Final
		Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
Suleiman Bilali	Light flyweight	Montero (DOM) L 3–9	Did not advance
Bernard Ngumba	Flyweight	Doniyorov (UZB) L 1–10	Did not advance
Nick Okoth	Featherweight	Reyes (MEX) L 2–6	Did not advance
Aziz Ali	Light heavyweight	Muzaffer (TUR) L 3–8	Did not advance

A sole Kenyan rower has qualified for the Olympics:

Men

Kenya sent two swimmers to Beijing.

Men

Two Kenyan taekwondo jins will compete at the 2008 olympics:

Athlete	Event	Round of 16	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Repechage	Bronze Medal	Final
		Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
Dickson Wamwiri	Men's −58 kg	Chu M-Y (TPE) L 0–7	Did not advance
Mildred Alango	Women's −49 kg	Wu Jy (CHN) L 0–7	Did not advance		Zajc (SWE) W 2–2 SUP	Contreras (VEN) L 0–1	Did not advance	5

• Kenya at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
• Kenya at the 2008 Summer Paralympics
• Kenya at the 2010 Commonwealth Games