Ferdinand Omanyala and Eliud Kipchoge
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Nairobi is preparing to host the Africa Golden Awards on May 3, where the continent’s premier athletes from the 2024 season will be honoured.
Voting, which began March 9 and continues until April 21, will determine the winner of the coveted Best Athlete of the Year award, accompanied by a Sh4.5 million (USD 35,000) prize. Kenyan athletes Ferdinand Omanyala, Eliud Kipchoge, and Faith Kipyegon are among the nominees. Kipyegon is a strong contender following her performance at the Paris Olympics, where she secured her third consecutive gold medal in the 1500m.
A reinstated silver medal in the 5000m further solidified her standing as one of the year's most accomplished athletes. Kipchoge's nomination acknowledges his influence on marathon running, despite facing setbacks in 2024. These included a 10th-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon and a Did Not Finish (DNF) at the Paris Olympics. Omanyala's nomination follows a mixed season that included a fourth-place finish at the World Athletics Indoor Championships and an eighth-place finish in the Olympic semi-finals.
He faces competition from South African sprinter Akani Simbine, who broke his nation’s 100m record at the Paris Olympics and claimed Diamond League glory. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo is also nominated after securing his country’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 200m with a record-breaking time of 19.46 seconds. The awards gala on April 27 will highlight Africa’s increasing significance in global sports. Runners-up will receive Sh2.5 million and Sh1.2 million respectively.