Kenyans on Monday broke into cheers and jubilation as the country bagged two gold, a silver and a bronze medals in aspan of 20 minutes at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
In Nairobi, tension was palpable on the faces of the citizens before the start of the men's 3,000m steeplechase, an event the east African nation has won in the last subsequent Olympic Games.
Many people left their places of work to flock nearby restaurants and hotels to watch the water jump event and the women's 800m, two events in which Kenya was expected to perform well.
Through the duration preceding the two events, the nation was held on tenterhooks.
Even though the steeplechase has always been described as a Kenyan event, for the first time in many years, many people held their breath in apprehension, especially after watching the semi-final races where all the three Kenyan runners faced very stiff competition in their respective heats.
It was therefore a moment of joy when Brimin Kipruto crossed the finish line ahead of the pack with the French runner spoiling a Kenyan 1-2 to give Richard Mateelong the bronze medal.
"We are very proud of our Kenyan athletes who have done us proud. I congratulate them all, especially the 18-year-old (Pamela) Jelimo," said David Kimutai, a job seeker.
The women's 800m race reduced the tension that had built earlier in people especially with the high expectations that the countrymen had placed on the shoulders of the gold medal winner, Jelimo and silver medalist and world champion, Janeth Jepkosgei.
At the Kengeles Restaurant, which like others in the city overflowed with enthusiast, many patrons capped the victories with shouts of joy and delight as they savoured the triumph with rounds of drinks.
"We are still expecting four more medals therefore it is not yet over until it is over," said a fan who only gave his first name as Ken.
Jelimo became the first Kenyan female athlete to strike Olympic gold when she breezed to victory in the 800m final as her compatriot and village mate, Jepkosgei took silver.
The 3,000m steeplechase winner, Kipruto, became the second athlete in history to hold both the Olympic and World titles on homestretch sprint, bagging gold in 8:10.34.
Africa champion, Mateelong (8:11.01) won bronze as France's Benabbad (8:10.49) stole in the inside lane to grab silver.
It was Kenya's ninth men's steeplechase gold medal and seventh in a row.
"This is a great achievement by young Kenyans. I know there are more medals coming," shouted another sports fan in Nairobi.
(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2008)