Paris Olympics: Pressure mounting on Amos Serem to reclaim Kenya's heritage in steeplechase

Amos Serem, now synonymous with his ‘calma’ celebrations during the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya back in 2021, is one of the medal hopefuls for Team Kenya in the 3000m steeplechase.

Since his famous celebrations, Serem has steadily grown, transitioning from the juniors to the seniors, where he has fit in like a glove.

The pressure is, however, heavy on Serem’s shoulders, alongside Simon Koech and Abraham Kibiwott, to reclaim the Olympic crown lost to Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali..

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Bakkali’s gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics marked the first time a non-Kenyan won the race since the 1980 Olympic when Polish steeplechaser Bronisław Malinowski claimed victory.

The race was Kenya’s specialty, so much so that even in the World Championships only four non-Kenyan athletes have emerged with top honours.

Personal life

Born on 28 August 2002 in Muyeng’wet/Kabao village in an athletics family, Serem attended Chepkoilel Central Primary School and Naiberi Primary School.

Serem is the second born in a family of four kids with his younger brother Edmund also being a 3000m specialist and a training mate.

While at Chewoiyet High School in West Pokot he stumbled upon Edward Moti who honed his skills in steeplechase and aided him to victory at the 2019 Kenya secondary school games.

Early career

With his father being his first coach, Serem tried out a number of races, notably 400m, 800m, 5000m and also 10000m but took the 3000m steeplechase to heart.

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At the age of 15, Serem clocked 14:54.1 in a 5000m race; he graduated to the 2000m steeplechase two years later before fully transitioning to the 3000m water and barrier race.

Career milestone

His now famous Under 20 World Championships victory back in 2021 remains his only top honours finish but Serem will be hoping to clinch gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He has, however, enjoyed some success, clinching silver at the 2024 African Games, beaten only by Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu to stop the clock at 8:25.77.

While still at the tender age of 20, Serem bagged a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with India’s Avinash Sable finishing second and compatriot Abraham Kibiwott claiming gold.

Olympic qualification

During the Olympics National Trials at the Nyayo National Stadium back in June, Serem finished first at a time of 8:20.55 to punch his ticket to the Olympics.

The 22-year-old was closely followed by Simon Koech who clocked 8:20.99 to finish second as Abraham Kibiwott timed 8:23.41 to come third.

Preparation for Olympics

The Olympics could not have come at the right time for Serem who is enjoying the best form of his career having finished first in the Olympic National Trials.

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He also warmed up for the Olympics with a Personal Best time of 8:02.06 at the Paris Diamond League, but it proved insufficient to win the race as Ethiopian Abrham Sime claimed victory by the barest of margins.

Competition at Olympics

It is no secret that defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali will be the man to beat the Olympics after carefully picking his races this season to save himself for the Olympics.

Another threat to Serem claiming gold will be world record holder Lamecha Girma who like Bakkali has race sparingly this season.

Medal prospect

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Serem is likely to clinch a silver medal based on the fact that he is currently in the best shape of his career.