Pauline Konga won a massive silver medal in the women’s 5000m. It was and remains massive in the sense that she became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic medal of any kind.
Kenya sent a contingent of 52 athletes (42 men and 10 women) who took part in five disciplines, namely Athletics, Boxing, Shooting, Weightlifting and new entrants Archery.
Only one gold medal was secured for Kenya, and it just had to be in the 3000m steeplechase where Joseph Keter became the sixth different winner of Kenya’s signature Olympic event since Amos Biwott started the gold rush in Mexico in 1968.
Pauline Konga won a massive silver medal in the women’s 5000m. It was and remains massive in the sense that she became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic medal of any kind.
Other silver medals came from Paul Bitok in the 5000m, Paul Tergat in the 10000m and Moses Kiptanui in the 3000m steeplechase.
Eric Wainaina became only the second Kenyan to claim a medal in the men’s marathon when he settled for the bronze medal. Kenya’s other bronze medals came from 800m runner Fred Onyanchaand StephenKipkorir in the 1500m.
Kenya’s contingent to Atlanta 1996
ARCHERY:Dominic Rebelo (Men’s individual), Jennifer Mbuta( Women’s individual)
ATHLETICS: Men:Donald Onchiri (100m), Joseph Gikonyo (200m), Samson Kitur, Kennedy Ochieng, Charles Gitonga (400m/ 4 x 400m relay), Simon Kemboi, Samson Yego ( 4 x 400m relay), Fred Onyancha, David Kiptoo, Philip Kibitok (800m), Stephen Kipkorir, Laban Rotich, William Tanui (1500m), Paul Bitok, Tom Nyariki, Shem Kororia (5000m), Paul Tergat, JosephatMachuka, Paul Koech (10000m), Eric Wainaina, LameckAguta, Ezekiel Bitok (Marathon), Erick Keter, Gideon Biwott, Barnabas Kinyor (400m hurdles), Joseph Keter, Moses Kiptanui, Matthew Birir ( 3000m steeplechase), David Kimutai, Justus Kavulanya, Julius Sawe ( 20km walk), Remmy Limo (Long Jump), Jacob Katonon (Triple Jump)
Women:Pauline Konga, Rose Cheruiyot, Lydia Cheromei (5000m), Tekla Lorupe, Sally Barsosio (10000m), Angeline Kanana, Joyce Chepchumba, Selina Chirchir (Marathon)
BOXING:George MainaKinyanjui (Lightweight), Peter Bulinga (Light welterweight), Evans Ashira Oure (Welterweight), Peter Odhiambo (Light heavyweight), Ahmed Rajab Omari (Heavyweight)
SHOOTING: Anuj Desai
WEIGHTLIFTING: Collins Okoth Nyawalo (Heavyweight)