Paris 2024 Olympics: Wiseman Were reveals advantage Rai Benjamin, Karsten Warholm & Co. have over him

Wiseman Were has disclosed the major undoing that cost him a slot in the final of the men’s 400m Hurdles at the Paris Olympics.

Were was knocked out in the semifinal where he clocked 49.22 to finish fifth, competing in heat three. The heat was won by Rai Benjamin who clocked a stunning 47.85 to cross the finish line as Roshawn Clarke finished an impressive second in 48.34 to seal a ticket to the Olympics.

Were noted that Kenya needs to put in the work if athletes are to triumph on the global stage, noting that the talent is there but the athletes are never taken care of.

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He explained that not having enough races to polish on technique and gain experience is also a major undoing for most Kenyan athletes. The Kenyan soldier singled out himself, noting that in the few races he has run, he was able to improve on several areas and if he gets a chance to compete more often, he would be lethal.

“It feels nice to have it and behind the scenes, we need to do a lot of things and need to be serious within ourselves so that we can be impressive. Coaching, strength and conditioning, and techniques need to be taught from a young age because we have raw talent back in Kenya. We take things seriously at the last minute but we need to change that,” Were said.

“The races I have had this season have been minimal but each time I’ve been resting and having a competition I usually show up. I have that consistency and it’s a matter of time and I want to target a 47.00 the next time we meet,” he added.

He expressed fulfilment to have gotten the chance to represent Kenya on the global scene and debut in the Olympics. The national champion pointed out that he was lucky to have reached the semifinal and get a chance to compete against the crème de la crème of the 400 Hurdles.

The hurdler added that he has greatly improved in his run and was lucky to have continued his campaign injury-free.

“I’m thankful because I finished the race healthy and I’m grateful for the time I run. I think I have greatly improved in my technique because back then, I used to have difficulty with my patterns but now it’s working. Things are coming up well,” he said.

“I can say for an athlete who has wished to come to the Olympics, you need to be healthy and to take part in the heats and finish when healthy is a blessing. It’s a step-by-step process and this is a progression as well,” he said.