Image: COURTESY
President William Ruto on Saturday hosted Budapest World Athletics gold medalists Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa at State House, Nairobi.
Kipyegon scooped two gold medals in her specialty races of 1,500m and 5,000m while Moraa was crowned winner in female's 800m race during the world championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Present during the State House visit was the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Ruto said in 2024, the government will support a residential camp for the Kenyan team that will represent the country in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"Winning medals starts with meticulous, intense and quality preparations. For the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, we will support a three-month residential camp for the Kenyan team," he said.
President Ruto said the move will help in the restoration of the country's position as an athletics powerhouse in the world.
The president on Friday during the launch of the Talanta Hela termed Kipyegon and Moraa as great assets to the country.
According to Ruto, the two and the whole team that represented Kenya in the championships are the reason Kenya is the best in Africa.
"Let me also congratulate the golden ladies, Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon. Our congratulations Mary. Congratulations times two Faith, you ladies are a great asset to our country," Ruto said.
"You are the reason why Kenya is the best in Africa. And you are the reason why Kenya is number five together with your team and all the others," he added.
During Friday's event, both Kipyegon and Moraa were awarded Sh2 million each.
Kipyegon's two golds in Budapest capped a remarkable season which started with her breaking three world records inside seven weeks.
