Medals: The Power of Sportsmanship in Kenya, Emerging Greed For Fame and Powerful Lessons from Spain's Ivan Fernandez
by Richard Kitheka Mbindyo
Kenyan athletics faces critical ethical challenges: age manipulation, doping, and athletes switching nationalities and even famous, elite athletes refusing to honour peer athletes. Swift action is vital to protect future athletes and the nation's sporting legacy as well as restore true sportsmanship in Kenya.
Notable doping cases include Rita Jeptoo's 2014 EPO scandal and the 2021 suspensions of Diana Kiyokei and Betty Wilson Lempus for using Furosemide.
Age manipulation is also now prevalent in junior categories, with cases often going unreported due to weak verification systems as well as weak whistle blower protection systems. One example that gained international attention involved Tarek Mubarak Salem Taher (formerly Dennis Kipkurui Sang). He was found to have falsified his birth certificate to compete in youth competitions, including the IAAF World Youth Championships. This case highlighted the problem and led to increased scrutiny of age verification.
Meanwhile Bernard Lagat, a decorated middle-distance runner, traded Kenya's red for the Stars and Stripes, finding a home in the US, citing superior training facilities and financial stability. Saif Saaeed Shaheen, formerly Stephen Cherono, donned Qatar's maroon, lured by lucrative contracts and promises of unparalleled support, a stark reflection of the economic realities facing many Kenyan athletes. These defections, fueled by the pursuit of better resources and recognition, leave a void in Kenya's talent pool and highlight the nation's struggle to retain its sporting stars, further eroding its global standing.
Kenyan athletics is a source of national pride. However, it grapples with ethical lapses. These lapses stem from complex cultural and societal factors. Economic desperation fuels the pressure to succeed. Sports offer a pathway out of poverty in Kenya. This drive can incentivize shortcuts like doping or age manipulation to secure medals, prize money, and honor. Tribalism creates unfair advantages, while economic desperation drives athletes to doping. For instance, preferential training for some regions exacerbates resource inequality.
The history of Kenyan athletics reveals a complex pattern of representation. While the 1960s saw indomitable athletes from the Duruma, Digo, and Ukambani communities, their prominence raises questions about present-day representation. This historical context illuminates how tribal leanings, if unchecked, can shape who gets opportunities, a challenge that persists today. Benson Masya raced at the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world half marathon in 1991 and won it. He went on to win every race he participated in, such as the 1994 Honolulu Marathon and 1997 Stockholm Marathon. In Cosmas Ndeti’s words, Masya was the best road racer from 1993 to 1996.?
However, it seems, just as their achievements are becoming forgotten in history. Many segments of our country have not been on the national stage ever since perhaps due to tribal leanings and biases? That remains to be studied. Tribalism fosters biased support, hindering athletes from less dominant groups. Economically, athletes from impoverished regions face immense pressure to win, leading to desperate measures like doping. For example, athletes from certain regions might receive preferential treatment in training and selection, while others struggle for resources, fueling inequality.
There is a serious lack of robust governance. There is also a lack of oversight within sports federations. A culture that prioritizes results over process exists. These factors create an environment for ethical breaches. Integrity issues flourish in this environment. We must not tolerate these!
To understand the stark contrast between these ethical lapses and the true spirit of sportsmanship, we turn to a moment of profound humanity.
Ten meters, maybe fifteen, from the finish of the Navarra cross-country race, a surreal moment unfolded in 2012. Abel Mutai, Kenya's formidable runner, came to a sudden halt. Confusion clouded his face as he searched the terrain, seemingly bewildered by the absence of a visible finish line. His lungs burned with the familiar sting of lactic acid, proof of the relentless pace he had set over the 10km run.
"It wasn't about my time; it was about what was happening right in front of me," Ivan Fernandez recalled. "Here was an opportunity, a chance for Abel to rightfully claim his victory."
In a world where winning often trumps all, where some even resort to cheating for glory, Ivan's act of selflessness became a viral sensation. But on that day, social media and stardom were far from his mind. He acted on pure instinct, guided by the values instilled in him by his mother, Francisca Anaya.
"My mother's voice, a constant compass, echoed in my head: 'Ivan, winning isn't everything. It's how you play the game that truly matters,'" Ivan shared. "She had ingrained in me the importance of fairness, respect for opponents, and doing what's right, even when the allure of victory was strong. These weren't just childhood words; they are the foundation of my character."
The 2012 December air, crisp and biting, carried the electric tension of the final sprint. The crowd, a sea of faces lining the course, leaned forward, anticipating the explosive finish. But they were about to witness something far more profound than a mere race. Abel Mutai, Kenyan was disoriented and stood frozen, his race seemingly over. He had misread the signs, a cruel twist of fate in the final stretch. The finish line was tantalizingly close. Ivan could have surged past him, claimed the victory, the applause, the fleeting glory. But the stronger fire within him, kindled by his mother's teachings, extinguished that thought.
"I sprinted to his side, shouting in Spanish, '?Vamos! ?Vamos!' But my words were lost in the crowd's roar and his confusion. I gently placed my hand on his back, just below his shoulder, and gave him a light nudge forward, a guiding touch. I kept my hand there as we crossed the actual finish line together, Abel in first, me right behind," Ivan explained.
Today, aged 36, Ivan still reflects on that pivotal day. "It has become a special day for me," he says. He uses that day to mark the beginning of new events and new life experiences.
Winning, in contrast to global expectations is not all that matters. Kenyans have been running and winning global awards for decades now. Kenya is synonymous with the athletics track especially the long distance races even though a new crop of runners like Ferdinand Omanyala has come to view ad are dominating the 100m track.
"But we have lost the plot, and are laying more emphasis on medal winning than sportsmanship," says Kennedy Gitau of Gamespace Kenya, an organization that champions and curates a sports museum. "The value of true sports is integrity and enjoyment of our God-given talents and the power of grit and proper management of body and nutritional discipline.
Ferdinand Omanyala is a Kenyan sprinter. He worked with South African coach Marcel Viljoen to help him qualify for his first race. Marcel Viljoen stated that there are close to 300 Athlete Representatives registered under World Athletics, Marcel told this writer.
" Through a friend Ferdinand reached out to me in 2021 when they felt he was at the level where a manager, or agent, was required. To be fair, I was dubious as I could find nothing online that indicted there was a new, or any, sprinting superstar on the Kenyan horizon. I mentioned this to the mutual friend and offered my assumption that either the mystery sprinter was a 400m runner ranked around 40th on the world lists, or a “new kid on the block”. He agreed that you might call him a “new kid on the block” and at that stage we were put in touch. After a few instances of communication, we decided that we would like to work together, and the management contract was signed."
"Omanyala confided in me that he had three goals, or dreams, for 2021. The first was to come and train in South Africa, as he was a big fan of the sprinters and level of sprinting at that stage. Secondly he wanted to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, where a qualification time of 10.05sec was required. Finally, the third goal was to run under 10 seconds for the 100m sprint!"
Omanyala's rigorous preparation has resulted in consistent victories.
Now let's consider Eliud Kipchoge, a marathon legend.
"While his dominance is undeniable and his legacy profound and under lock and key, the absence of public congratulations when Kelvin Kiptum broke his record raised eyebrows," observes Mwaura Murira of Games Space Kenya. "Furthermore, Kipchoge's absence at Kiptum's funeral was perceived by many as a missed opportunity to honor a fellow athlete. These instances, whether intentional or not, reflect a concerning shift away from the traditional values of sportsmanship, where respect and camaraderie often transcend competition."
"We must return to our core roots and empower the true meaning of sports!" insists Mwaura.
Meanwhile, this year, Ivan Fernandez is organizing marathons in Spain and Kenya, not to relive that race, but to celebrate sportsmanship and human connection between Spain and Kenya. It is a way of honoring Abel Mutai, that day, and Ivan's mother's guiding principles rooted on integrity.
"Sports," Ivan has come to realize, "is not simply about accumulating medals and setting records. It's a journey of human connection, built on shared experiences. It's about the relationships we build with fellow athletes, the respect we show our opponents, and the strength we find in community support. Ivan has retired to a life of coaching young star athletes in Spain. His school boasts of 450 students.
“It's in the process that we learn the most valuable lessons: how to be resilient when faced with challenges, how to remain humble in victory, and how to value sportsmanship above all else.
These are the core principles that shape our character. True success is found not in trophies, but in integrity and kindness. I see sports as a powerful way to bring people together and to grow as individuals, showcasing the best of humanity."
It’s an honor to consider how his actions might resonate in Kenya, a nation with such vibrant sporting spirit. What happened in Burlada speaks to something universal. Reflecting on its connection to Kenyan sport, business, and politics, Ivan understands the deep passion for competition here.?
The lesson is simple: values matter. Integrity, fairness, respect—these are the foundation of a healthy society, values first learned at a mother's knee. In sports, it’s playing by the rules; in business, it’s operating ethically; in politics, it’s serving the public good with honesty. It's about placing the collective good before personal gain.
We cultivate these values through education and strong leadership. We must instill these principles in our youth, at home and in schools, just as Francisca Anaya did. Sports programs teach teamwork, respect, and fair play. Leaders in every sector must set a strong example. We must celebrate acts of sportsmanship and integrity, not just victories.
Character is what you are when no one is watching," guides Ivan, urging us toward genuine success through integrity. Let's amplify this inner voice, fostering sportsmanship that echoes Francisca Anaya's wisdom. "He was going to win," Ivan insists, a testament to true sportsmanship. Now, let's translate this ethos into action: champion fair play, demand ethical leadership, and mentor the next generation with integrity. Only then can we truly honor the spirit of sport.
The track that once echoed with the thunder of champions is now stained with the whispers of corruption and silent anguish. The dreams of young athletes are being crushed under the weight of deceit, false relationships and a flawed system. We must ignite a firestorm of change. We must cleanse our sport, and its athletes and restore its honor while paving a path for a new era of Kenyan athletics, where integrity reigns supreme.
END.
The writer has just concluded the current biography: a catalog of 75 athletes titled ATHLETES DIE TWICE. Extracts and excerpts are available on request to anyone who wishes: email me on [email protected] or [email protected]. The book hits the shelves in June 2025.