Olympics
Godfather of Kenyan Running Empowering Girls Through Athletics
The day is August 9, 2012. Bro Colm O'Connell sits in his modest living room, eyes glued to the television screen as the 2012 Summer Olympics unfold in London.
Who is Brother Colm?
The tension is palpable as he watches his protégé, David Rudisha, take his place on the starting line for the 800m final.
In a breathtaking performance, Rudisha crosses the finish line, not only winning gold but also breaking the world record with a time of 1:40.91. The world erupted in applause, but for him, it was a quiet satisfaction, the fruition of their hard work.
The following morning, Bro Colm's usually tranquil home is abuzz with activity. Reporters from around the globe have gathered, eager to uncover the story of the man behind Rudisha's phenomenal success.
Rudisha led from gun to tape to win gold in what was acclaimed "The Greatest 800 Meter Race Ever". In doing so, he became the first and, so far, only runner to break the 1:41 barrier for 800m.
More than a decade on, the record still stands. His average speed per 200m section was 25.22.
For beginners, that is who Bro Colm is: a humble, unassuming coach who has dedicated his life to nurturing athletic talent in Kenya's athletics hub; Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County. He is known as the "Godfather of Kenyan Running," for guiding countless athletes to international success.
Mission of Empowering Girls
One mission that is especially close to his heart is transforming the lives of Kenyan girls. He passionately believes in the power of athletics to provide opportunities, build confidence, and inspire young women to dream beyond societal constraints.
Some of his charges include Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat, Lorna Kiplagat, Linet Maasai, Mary Keitany, Janeth Jepkosgei, Sally Barsosio, and Rose Cheruiyot among other notable stars.
In 2021, figures from the Elgeyo Marakwet Health and Social Department showed that teen pregnancies increased from 8.4 per cent seven years ago to 26.7 per cent after the outbreak of Covid-19.
The same applied to school dropouts. The then County Governor Alex Tolgos was worried that the trend undermined the achievements of girls’ education and health.
Such is the situation in not only the county, but also other North Rift counties with an influx of female athletes.
Traditional societal norms and economic hardships can severely limit opportunities for girls, relegating them to roles that stifle their potential.
However, through his dedicated efforts, Bro Colm is continuously opening doors for many girls.
The tactician is fostering a generation of empowered women who can advocate for their rights and inspire their communities to value and support the aspirations of all their children, regardless of gender.
In an exclusive chat with SportsBoom.com, Bro Colm was confident that with the right training and opportunities, girls could surpass all expectations and achieve greatness.
Girls are very resilient. When they get opportunities, their potential is boundless. Every athlete is different, that is why you have to know your athletes differently and not use the same approach for them all. I coached a girl called Sally Barsosio and I found her pretty tough. You could tell her anything. Women are almost more successful and resilient than men,
Bro Colm O'Connell
The Role of Schools
Bro Colm was however concerned that schools, the fundamental units of a child's growth, were not adequately playing their part in laying the foundations for talent development.
As a teacher himself, the gap in the education system troubles him as he understands that without a solid foundation, many promising talents, especially girls, could go unnoticed and undeveloped.
“Schools in recent years have not played their part in nurturing talent. They need to pull up their socks in what they can do in the world of nurturing talent and laying the foundation,” he told SportsBoom.
Women Shining Bright in Major Championships
During the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest for instance, the women performed better than men.
Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa won in their individual races for Kenya’s three gold medals in Budapest.
Kipyegon was the toast of the team after she did an unprecedented double in the 1,500m and 5,000m races while Moraa reigned supreme in the 800m race.
Kenya’s silver medallists were Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (10,000m), Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m) and Beatrice Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase) while Abraham Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase) Beatrice Chebet (5,000m), Jacob Krop (5,000m) and Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase) bagged bronze medals.
“We should emphasize so much in making sure that the girls are known not just in sports, but in other activities. Last year, during Budapest, most medals came from our girls, not boys and that is something to be concerned about,” Bro Colm commented.
Paris 2024 Olympics Predictions
Kenya’s 800m to the Olympics field is studded with talent. Emmanuel Wanyonyi leads the pack followed by Wycliffe Kinyamal and Kidali Koitatoi.
Wanyonyi earned his Olympic spot after finishing first in the two-lap race in a time of 1:41.70 at the national trials.
Kinyamal came in second in 1:42.50 with Kidali completing the podium in 1:42:66 for a formidable Team Kenya.
When asked where he places his bet, the tactician noted that it's not the best athlete who wins the Olympics, rather the smart, calculative and mentally prepared one.
Paris, unlike London (2012), has a few serious contenders, with some four athletes already under 1.42. However, remember that the Olympic 800m has three rounds in four days, no pacing, no stroll lights, huge pressure and expectations. The only real person who can judge an athlete's preparedness for Olympics is the person who knows 'the personality and inner workings of that athlete
Bro Colm
Mary Milanoi is a young Kenyan sports journalist known for her insightful reporting and passionate storytelling.
Her work is characterized by her ability to connect with sportspersons and bring their stories to life, capturing the human element behind the competition.