With the ending of the six-day swimming competitions on Wednesday, the ninth All-Africa Games' another major medal depot of track and field athletics will be opened in the day, which will see the participation of big names in Africa.
The games in Algiers has brought together many outstanding track and field stars in various African nations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and host nation Algeria.
The competition of track and field athletics is expected to last five days and generate nearly 50 gold medals. The first day of athletics will produce four golds in four individual events, namely, women's triple jump, men's discus, men's 3000-meter steeplechase and women's 5000 meters.
Kenya, an African heavyweight in athletics, is set to hold the limelight in athletics as the Kenyan team is the best that the eastern African nation has assembled for the All-Africa Games in a long time.
"They have many junior champions hungry for success. That they are a very well trained side," said the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation. "All the talk ends Wednesday and it is now time to walk the walk."
Kenya looks to immediately begin chasing gold and glory in the first day since they are strong in both men's 3000-meter steeplechase and women's 5000 meters.
Kenya has been dominating in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Since the first All-Africa Games began in 1965, Kenya has won the gold in all the eight editions of the races, and the latest was in Nigeria in 2003 when Ezekiel Kemboi won with a new Games' record time of eight minutes 12.27 seconds, according to the newspaper.
In women's 5000 meters final, Kenya has Silvia Kibet and Esther Maina. And since Kenya's Olympic and world 5000-meter record holder Meseret Defar is also expected to run.
The Kenyan team, consisting of over 40 top athletes, also include other strong competitors such as Ezra Sambu in men's 400 meters, sprinter Thomas Musinde in men's 100 meters, Elizabeth Muthuka and Josphine Nyarunda in women's 400 meters, as well as Edith Massy in men's 10,000 meters.
The South African delegation is made up of renowned athletes led by Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, positioned first in men's 800 meters in the standings of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.
Other good competitors from South Africa include defending champions Samantha Dodd in women's pole vault and Chris Harmse in men's hammer.
The Algerian team consists of the country's best athletes, including Hamad Abderrahmane in men's high jump, Tarek Boukenza and Antar Zergelain in men's 1500 meters, as well as Souad Ait Salem in men's semi marathon.
The president of the Algerian Athletics federation, Amar Bouras, was quoted by local media as saying that he was looking forward to garnering at least three gold medals from athletics.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article