Kenya's Olympic heroine Jelimo backs home
17/9/2008 17:28
Olympic 800 metres champion and IAAF golden jackpot winner Pamela Jelimo
of Kenya jetted back in the country last night to a stampede reception.
There
was stampede at the airport as family, friends, members of the cabinet,
lawmakers, and curious onlookers all jostled for a glimpse of the sensational
teenager.
The country's airport security detail had a hectic moments as the
plane carrying the Olympic gold medalist touched down minutes past
2200hrs.
Security officials frantically tried and failed to contain a
frenzied crowd and observe protocol as everyone sought to get access to the
arrival gates.
The crowd pushed each other to get a glimpse of Jelimo who is
expected to meet Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki today and later attend a heroic
reception at her home village in Rift Valley.
"This is a year that I have
realized my goal so it means a lot to me, it has brought such joy to my life so
I can say that I have enjoyed all my successes," Jelimo told journalists.
She
noted that if all factors are in place she will attempt to break the 800 metres
world record.
"These things actually depend on several factors like coaching
and planning so if everything falls in place then I will be happy to try for it
but its all in God's hands," said Jelimo.
Agriculture Minister William Ruto
who was at the airport to receive the teenage sensation praised Jelimo for her
efforts in promoting the country.
"She has done us proud and has lifted the
name of the country. Her achievements are also for the country and she has shown
that something good can come from the youth," said Ruto.
Sports Minister
Prof. Hellen Sambili also heaped praise on the 18 year old Jelimo, urging her to
aim higher because "the sky is the limit."
"Jelimo has raised the profile of
her Koyo village onto the world map. She has made history and we are so proud of
her," said the minister.
Jelimo's millionaire status has spurred interest in
the country where majority of at least 35 million people live under a dollar a
day, with some carrying placards saying "Marry Me Jelimo."
"If I'm given
proper coaching and with good plans I think I can break the world record which I
will be focusing on now," said Jelimo.
The teenage athlete has dominated
athletics season in such spectacular fashion completely redefining the two lap
race.
She became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal when she
won the women's 80 metres race in Beijing.
Lawmakers from Rift Valley MPs
have organized a big party for Kenyan star athletes on October 4 in Eldoret to
celebrate one of the most memorable seasons in history.
The planned
celebration will be to toast runners who have starred at the African
Championships, World Junior Championships, the Olympics and World Athletics
Finals.
Outgoing Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, said that
the party was an appreciation gesture by the legislators in recognition of
stellar achievement by Kenyan athletes, most who hail from the
province.
Kiplagat also confirmed that the celebration feast for Olympic 800m
champion, Wilfred Bungei, would be held next weekend in his Kabirirsiang
Village, Kapsabet District.
Jelimo, who became the first Kenyan athlete to
win the one million-dollar Golden League jackpot, appeared shaken by the whole
episode.
The 18-year-old, who in Beijing made history as the first Kenyan
woman to win an Olympic track gold when she won the 800m, finished the season
unbeaten after winning all the six meet races.
The crowning of her first
season came when she pocketed the jackpot in the wet conditions at the Brussels
meeting to take the prize, awarded to the athlete who wins all of their six
Golden League outings.
"I am very happy by the reception which I did not
expect. My performance should serve as a motivation for the youth. We need to do
something to motivate them," said Jelimo at the airport.
She arrived straight
from the World Athletics Final (WAF) in Stuttgart, Germany where she capped an
unbelievable track season with her 12th victory in the 800 metres race in
championship record time of 1:56.23 that saw her pocket another Sh2
million.
Jelimo won the IAAF US$1 million Golden Jackpot after winning all
six Golden League meetings races.
She won the continental title in Addis
Ababa setting a stadium record of 1:58.70 to beat Maria Mutola and a week later
she clocked 1:55.76 run in Hengelo.
Xinhua
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