The Kenyans were beaten 24-10 by Canada and finished ten in the rugby tournament in the Olympic Games at the Olympics in Tokyo 2021. A result slightly better than what was achieved at the Olympics 2016 (11th) but which gave hope to a team from Kenya definitely.
From our special correspondent in Tokyo,
Felix Oloo, coach of the Kenya Kenya Rugby Sevens Team, gathers his players in a circle for long minutes on the lawn at Tokyo Stadium. The Kenyans have just lost 24-10 against Canada, in a match for the ninth place in Tokyo Games 2021. The lionesses kneel to pray. What did their coach say at the end of the second Olympic campaign, after eleventh place at the 2016 Olympics? it will remain a legal secret.
“Those the Olympic Games is a great experience for my players, especially considering where we come from, says Oloo. We have to remember that half of our team was isolated until the beginning of these games “. When they arrived in Japan, six Kenyans had to follow an 8-day quarantine, as a passenger on their outbound flight had tested positive for Covid-19.
“Despite that, they played very well, the coach thinks. They scored in almost every match and for me it was important. Winning at least one match was also important for our self-confidence ”.
“Kenya continues to grow” Beaten by New Zealand (29-7), Russia (35-12) and Great Britain (31-0), however, the lionesses opposed the Japanese 21-17. A result that allows them to finish ten in these Tokyo games.
During these 2021 Olympics, Kenya really hoped to reach the quarterfinals. But given the context and the adversity, Captain Philadelphia Orlando is not picky. “I am already very proud to have met Canada for this last match. It’s a great team, she smiles. These girls are third in the Sevens Series standings [séries de tournois de rugby à 7 qui rassemblent les meilleures équipes nationales, Ndlr]. It was a real plus to play against them “.
The opening half and its partners have a double mission: to win a first participation in the World Cup, the next is planned for 2022 in South Africa. And continue to prove that Kenyan sports are not just about athletics. “Most people still believe that Kenyans can only participate in the Olympics in athletics. While we excel in many sports, such as rugby, for both men and women. I really believe that in sports Kenya will continue to grow and that we will be even better represented in Paris in 2024, she concludes.
►Tokyo 2021: Event calendar, results, medal table
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