Paris Olympics: D-Day for Omanyala in Paris

It's a big day for Kenya’s and Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, as the 100m men’s race heads to the semifinals and final at the Paris Olympics later this evening.

The sprinter secured a place in the semifinal yesterday when he won heat 2 at the Stade de France. Omanyala took off the blocks well and was comfortable throughout the race, posting a winning time of 10.08 seconds.

The final is slated for 22:50 (EAT) with the semis coming on at 21:05 (EAT).

“I’m happy that I ran a good race; I do not feel the pressure," Omanyala said post-race. "I trained for three years and finished my training in Miramas. Paris is all about enjoying my race and proving all my hard work."

Omanyala seeks to better his Tokyo 2020 performance, where he exited in the semifinal. He finished third in the first semifinal, bringing to an end what had been an inspiring journey for the 28-year-old, whose career had suffered an early setback due to doping allegations.

Today’s pairings are not going to get any easier, with all the top guns having secured a place in the semis. Oblique Seville, Letsile Tebogo, Akani Simbine, Kenny Bednarek, defending champion Marcell Jacobs, Fred Kerley, this year’s fastest man Kishane Thompson, Andre de Grasse, and Ackeem Blake are all in action in what promises to be a very competitive semifinal starting at 9:05 PM. Should he secure a place in the final, he will be back in action at 10:20 PM. Omanyala has been placed in semifinal three alongside Kishane, Kerley, De Grasse, among others.

Paris Olympics: Faith Cherotich takes another step to future stardom

Elsewhere this morning, the 3000m steeplechase women’s team will take to the track for the heats. The trio of Faith Cherotich, Jackline Chepkoech, and Beatrice Chepkoech will be out to secure places in the final. Faith will be in heat 1, Jackline in heat 2, while Beatrice takes her place in heat 3. The races start at 11:05 AM.

At 8:05 PM, Zablon Ekwam will take to the track in the 400m heats. The Olympics debutant has been placed in heat 6.

At 9:35 PM, Kenya’s 800m women’s team of Mary Moraa, Vivian Chebet, and Lilian Odira will be in action in the semis, all keen to secure places in the final. Moraa is in heat 1, Chebet in heat 2, while Odira takes her place in heat 3.

At 10:10 PM, the 1500m men’s teams will also be in action in the semis. Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Cheruiyot, and Brian Komen will all be in action. Reynold and Komen will be in heat 1, with Timothy taking to the track in heat 2.

Paris Olympics: Finally time for Beatrice Chepkoech to claim that elusive medal?