Ferdinand Omanyala has thanked Kenyans who sent him messages of goodwill despite failing to make it to the Olympics finals in the 100m race.
Omanyala in a post on X, said it was not the end of the dream and would push on for more success in the sprint for Kenya.
“Whatever you’re facing right now—it’s not the end of your story. God is with you and always will be,”
“Thank you to everyone who believes that the Kenyan sprint story will never be the same again.” the sprinter said.
Omanyala failed to reach the final after winning in the heats leading up to the semi-final.
The sprinter’s dream of becoming the first ever Kenyan to reach the Olympics 100m final collapsed as he finished a distant eighth in the semi-final.
Omanyala arrived in Paris as the second fastest man in the world this year, clocking 10.08 seconds to finish second last.
Kenyans on social media encouraged Omanyala and urged him not to give up.
“You are phenomenal Ferdinand Omanyala. And you have done proud. You are an inspiration and will do better next time,” Mashirima Kapombe said.
“Ferdinand Omanyala is still the fastest man in Africa’s Olympic medal is still cooking. Give the lad some grace qualifying for the Olympics is no mean feat,” Branice Munyasa shared.
“Maybe fatigue kicked in, but our boy Omanyala will bounce back stronger.” Teddi Zaq said.
“Namjue Omanyala angekua anapewa enough incentive that race would have been his/ours. I’m sure he will bag some gold shortly.” Ian Owiro shared.
In the final, US sprint star Noah Lyles won the Olympic 100m title by five-thousandths of a second from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a dramatic photo finish.
