Kenya honors national Olympic team

Source: Xinhua | 08-30-2008 15:20

NAIROBI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government on Friday honored the national Olympic team for their excellent performance at the just concluded Beijing Olympic Games.

The athletes, who were each decorated with flower garlands and kikoi's, was given a sip of traditional sour milk (Mursik) from a gourd and the famous coconut drink (Madafu) amidst cheers and ululations from hundreds of jubilant coastal residents and troupes of traditional dancers.

The sporting heroes aboard five open trucks were driven in a convoy of over 100 vehicles along Mombasa city roads to the Treasury Square where the celebration ceremony later took place.

Along the route, all the way from the airport to the Treasury Square, curious ecstatic crowds lined along the route to get a glimpse of the golden team. Taarab bands, acrobatic troupes and traditional dancers could be spotted in various points along the route.

The performance which saw Kenya emerge number 15 overall and the best in Africa with 14 medals, five gold, five silver and four bronze, is the best ever since the country debuted in the Games 52years ago.

Addressing the athletes during a colorful ceremony, President Mwai Kibaki applauded them for their patriotism and sterling performance at the Olympic Games.

The president urged Kenyans to emulate the national Olympic team's spirit by uniting and working together in developing the country.

"The performance of the team reaffirmed our country as a leading sports power especially in track events. In so doing, you kept our flag flying high on many occasions and our national anthem was played five times," the president said in recognition of the team's performance.

He specifically commended the woman athletes for winning Kenyan women's first ever Gold medal in the Olympics, saying Kenya also won its first Gold in Men's Marathon and gained world recognition in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters events.