'I expected more'- Ferdinand Omanyala reflects on turbulent 2024 season

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has reflected upon the 2024 season, expressing his frustrations towards missing a medal at the Paris Olympics and ending his season with a great race.

In a post-race interview after the men’s 100m invitational in Brussels, the Commonwealth Games champion noted that the season was a bit brutal but he will keep showing up hoping to make an impact one day.

Omanyala is still hopeful of getting a medal from a global championship, pointing out that he is just unaware of when the honours will come.

“This season has been like a rollercoaster. Some ups and downs, but I’m happy to end it here with a good race and a good feeling. I expected more from the Olympics, but that’s athletics. I just have to keep going and continue to work hard. I know that I will get a medal at a major championship one day, but I just don´t know when it will happen,” he said.

One reason why Omanyala is not giving up on his dream is to inspire young Kenyans and he insisted that there is a lot of talent that is untapped and he wants to change the narrative.

He is aware that what he does on the track has inspired tons of young Kenyans and others are still being inspired to join the sport.

“I want to inspire the younger generation in Kenya. There's a lot of sprint talent there and they are starting to realize that. I know that my performances inspire them and the future looks bright for them,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old missed a slot in the final of the men’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games after finishing eighth in the semis. He also failed to gather enough points to make it to the Diamond League Meeting final.

After the Olympics, the Kenyan sprint sensation finished second at the Diamond League Meeting in Silesia and seventh in Silesia. Omanyala proceeded to a second-place finish in Boris Hanžeković Memorial before his win in Brussels where he clocked 10.07 seconds to cross the finish line.