Rwanda now opts to train their Athletes in Kenya

Rwanda National flag

By Fred Maingi in Nairobi

Coach Rwabuhihi

Kenya has now become a safe haven for foreign Athletes after Rwanda
announced their decision to dispatch their runners to train in the
high altitude grounds.
 

Rwanda took the decision in a bid to end the country’s medal drought
at the world’s biggest sports event – the Olympics.

Rwanda National team head coach Innocent Rwabuhihi said plans are
underway to make sure the initiative comes to life.

“Indeed, we have decided to start sending our Athletes to Kenya where
they can get intensive training.We want to emulate our Kenya Athletes
who have enjoyed enormous success in sports owing to their high
Altitude grounds. Our problem has been lack of taking issues seriously
and late preparations.” Observed  Rwabuhihi.

 ‘ ‘Our main target at the London  Olympic games, added Rwabuhihi , was not to
win any medals but to gain experience and post personal best records
since it was the first time the four runners were competing at this
level.”

Rwanda who have never won an Olympic medal since its first participation at
the 1984 Los Angeles Games wants their athletes to get enough
rest,before dispatching them  to Kenya to prepare for the upcoming
international athletics season which starts
in January.

 Kenya has over twenty training centres in the Rift Valley, most
especially in Eldoret (Western part) with the most popular one being
Iten where the current men’s 800m world record holder and Olympian
David Rudisha (Kenya) as well as Great Britain’s double Olympic gold
medalist in the men’s 5000m and 10000m, Mo Farah and current women’s
marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe