Julius Yego Reveals the Real Reason Kenya Is Losing Medals
Former javelin world champion Julius Yego has taken a swipe at Kenya’s sports leadership, blaming the country’s narrow focus on track events for the declining medal returns at major international competitions.
Kenya’s Medal Drought Beyond Track
Kenya has struggled to expand its medal haul at the Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games, with nearly all successes coming from traditional distance running events. According to Yego, this long-standing trend is costing the country its chance at broader athletic dominance.
“If we only depend on track events, we won’t be able to compete with big countries like the USA,” said Yego. “They supplement their medal collection across all events in championships.”
The Missing Diversity: Field and Sprint Events
Yego, who remains Kenya’s only non-track medalist in nearly a decade, emphasized the need for investment in field events and sprints. The 36-year-old won gold in javelin at the 2015 World Championships and a silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics—achievements yet to be replicated by another Kenyan athlete outside the track arena.
“You can even count the track events where Kenya realistically stands a chance to win. They are very few,” he said, calling on Athletics Kenya and the government to diversify their investments.
Ferdinand Omanyala and the Hope in Sprinting
Yego pointed out the emergence of sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala as a sign that Kenya has potential outside long-distance events, but warned that one man alone cannot change the nation’s fate.
“When Kenya became world champions in 2015, I won the men’s javelin and the late Nicholas Bett won the 400m hurdles. That diversity helped us dominate globally,” Yego recalled.
“We cannot expect to win a championship with track alone—it’s not possible,” he added.
The Future of Javelin and Field Events in Kenya
Yego is preparing for what could be his final appearance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. However, he admits that Kenya’s future in field events looks bleak, as there are no standout javelin throwers ready to take the baton from him.
“I’m concerned that once I retire, the men’s javelin in Kenya will collapse unless urgent steps are taken to nurture young talent,” said the five-time African champion.
Yego has repeatedly called for structured development programs and improved facilities to encourage participation in less-glamourized disciplines.
Call to Action for Sports Authorities
With the 2025 World Championships fast approaching, Yego’s warning is both a reflection on the past and a wake-up call for Kenya’s future in athletics. If the country aims to reclaim its position as a global powerhouse, embracing a holistic approach to sports development is no longer optional it’s essential.
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