Kenya made its Olympic debut at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne and has since become one of the most prominent nations in Olympic athletics. The country has participated in every Summer Games since its debut, with the exception of the 1976 Montreal and 1980 Moscow Games, which it boycotted along with several other African nations due to political reasons. Twenty-nine countries boycotted the 1976 Games due to the refusal of the IOC to ban New Zealand, after the New Zealand national rugby union team had toured South Africa earlier in 1976. On the occasion of the 1980 Boycotts initiated by the United States, Boxer Muhammad Ali traveled to Tanzania, Nigeria, and Senegal to unsuccessfully convince their leaders to join the boycott. He did, however, successfully convince the Kenyan government to do so.
| Kenya at the Olympics | |
|---|---|
| IOC code | KEN |
| NOC | National Olympic Committee of Kenya |
| Website | teamkenya |
| Medals Ranked 35th |
|
| Summer appearances | |
| Winter appearances | |
Kenya's Olympic achievements are overwhelmingly concentrated in track and field events, particularly in middle- and long-distance running, where it has established itself as a global powerhouse. Kenyan runners have consistently dominated events ranging from the 800 metres to the marathon. The country has also won several medals in boxing, particularly in the 1960s through the 1980s, although recent decades have seen a decline in that sport’s contribution to Kenya’s medal tally.
One of the few African and tropical countries, Kenya participated also in the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018. Kenyan athletes have won 124 medals in total, all from boxing and track and field events, making them the most successful African committee at the Olympics.
Another notable development has been the rise of Kenyan women in Olympic competition. While the first Kenyan woman, Pauline Konga, to win an Olympic medal did so in 1996 at the Women's 5000 metres, by 2016, Kenyan women earned seven of the nation's 13 medals, highlighting a rapid and encouraging rise in female participation and success at the highest levels of sport.
Increasingly, Kenya-born athletes are immigrating to compete in the Olympics for other countries, most notably Bahrain. In the 2016 Olympics, there were ~20 such athletes, including multiple medal winners.
The National Olympic Committee representing Kenya is the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, founded in 1955.
Medal tables
Medals by Summer Games
| Games | Athletes | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 Melbourne | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1960 Rome | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1964 Tokyo | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 35 |
| 1968 Mexico City | 39 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 14 |
| 1972 Munich | 57 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 19 |
| 1976 Montreal | boycotted | |||||
| 1980 Moscow | boycotted | |||||
| 1984 Los Angeles | 61 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 23 |
| 1988 Seoul | 74 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 13 |
| 1992 Barcelona | 51 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 21 |
| 1996 Atlanta | 52 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 38 |
| 2000 Sydney | 56 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 29 |
| 2004 Athens | 46 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 41 |
| 2008 Beijing | 48 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 13 |
| 2012 London | 47 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 28 |
| 2016 Rio de Janeiro | 89 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 15 |
| 2020 Tokyo | 85 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 19 |
| 2024 Paris | 72 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 17 |
| 2028 Los Angeles | future event | |||||
| 2032 Brisbane | ||||||
| Total (16/30) | 866 | 39 | 44 | 41 | 124 | 33 |
Medals by Winter Games
| Games | Athletes | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Nagano | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002 Salt Lake City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006 Turin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010 Vancouver | did not participate | |||||
| 2014 Sochi | ||||||
| 2018 Pyeongchang | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022 Beijing | did not participate | |||||
| 2026 Milano Cortina | ||||||
| 2030 French Alps | future event | |||||
| 2034 Utah | ||||||
| Total (4/24) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Medals by sport
| Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 38 | 43 | 36 | 117 |
| Boxing | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Totals (2 entries) | 39 | 44 | 41 | 124 |
List of medalists
| Medal | Name(s) | Games | Sport | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Wilson Kiprugut | 1964 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Gold | Naftali Temu | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Gold | Kipchoge Keino | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Gold | Amos Biwott | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Benjamin Kogo | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Daniel Rudisha, Munyoro Nyamau, Naftali Bon, Charles Asati | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 4 × 400 m relay |
| Silver | Kipchoge Keino | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Bronze | Naftali Temu | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Silver | Wilson Kiprugut | 1968 Mexico City | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | Philip Waruinge | 1968 Mexico City | Boxing | Men's featherweight |
| Gold | Kipchoge Keino | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | Charles Asati, Munyoro Nyamau, Robert Ouko, Julius Sang | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 4 × 400 m relay |
| Silver | Kipchoge Keino | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Silver | Ben Jipcho | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Philip Waruinge | 1972 Munich | Boxing | Men's featherweight |
| Bronze | Julius Sang | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 400 m |
| Bronze | Mike Boit | 1972 Munich | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | Samuel Mbugua | 1972 Munich | Boxing | Men's lightweight |
| Bronze | Dick Murunga | 1972 Munich | Boxing | Men's welterweight |
| Gold | Julius Korir | 1984 Los Angeles | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Michael Musyoki | 1984 Los Angeles | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Bronze | Ibrahim Bilali | 1984 Los Angeles | Boxing | Men's flyweight |
| Gold | Julius Kariuki | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | John Ngugi | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Gold | Paul Ereng | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Gold | Peter Rono | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Gold | Robert Wangila | 1988 Seoul | Boxing | Men's welterweight |
| Silver | Peter Koech | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Douglas Wakiihuri | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Bronze | Kipkemboi Kimeli | 1988 Seoul | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Bronze | Chris Sande | 1988 Seoul | Boxing | Men's middleweight |
| Gold | Matthew Birir | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | William Tanui | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Silver | Richard Chelimo | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Silver | Patrick Sang | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Paul Bitok | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Silver | Nixon Kiprotich | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | William Mutwol | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Samson Kitur | 1992 Barcelona | Athletics | Men's 400 m |
| Gold | Joseph Keter | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Paul Tergat | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Silver | Moses Kiptanui | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Paul Bitok | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Silver | Pauline Konga | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Women's 5000 m |
| Bronze | Stephen Kipkorir | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Bronze | Fred Onyancha | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | Erick Wainaina | 1996 Atlanta | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Gold | Noah Ngeny | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Gold | Reuben Kosgei | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Paul Tergat | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Silver | Wilson Boit Kipketer | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Erick Wainaina | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Bronze | Bernard Lagat | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Bronze | Joyce Chepchumba | 2000 Sydney | Athletics | Women's Marathon |
| Gold | Ezekiel Kemboi | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Bernard Lagat | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Silver | Brimin Kipruto | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Isabella Ochichi | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Women's 5000 m |
| Silver | Catherine Ndereba | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Women's Marathon |
| Bronze | Paul Kipsiele Koech | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Eliud Kipchoge | 2004 Athens | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Gold | Asbel Kipruto Kiprop | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 1500 m |
| Gold | Brimin Kiprop Kipruto | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | Wilfred Bungei | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Gold | Samuel Wanjiru | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Gold | Pamela Jelimo | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 800 m |
| Gold | Nancy Lagat | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 1500 m |
| Silver | Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 800 m |
| Silver | Catherine Ndereba | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's Marathon |
| Silver | Eunice Jepkorir | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Eliud Kipchoge | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Bronze | Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Micah Kogo | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Bronze | Edwin Cheruiyot Soi | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Bronze | Alfred Kirwa Yego | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | Sylvia Kibet | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 5000 metres |
| Bronze | Linet Masai | 2008 Beijing | Athletics | Women's 10000 metres |
| Gold | Ezekiel Kemboi | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | David Rudisha | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Silver | Sally Kipyego | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's 10000 m |
| Silver | Priscah Jeptoo | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's Marathon |
| Silver | Vivian Cheruiyot | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's 5000 m |
| Silver | Abel Kirui | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Bronze | Vivian Cheruiyot | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's 10000 m |
| Bronze | Abel Mutai | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Milcah Chemos Cheywa | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Bronze | Timothy Kitum | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Bronze | Thomas Longosiwa | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's 5000 m |
| Bronze | Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich | 2012 London | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Bronze | Pamela Jelimo | 2012 London | Athletics | Women's 800 m |
| Gold | David Rudisha | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's 800 m |
| Gold | Conseslus Kipruto | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Gold | Eliud Kipchoge | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's Marathon |
| Gold | Faith Kipyegon | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 1500 m |
| Gold | Jemimah Sumgong | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's Marathon |
| Gold | Vivian Cheruiyot | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 5000 m |
| Silver | Hellen Obiri | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 5000 m |
| Silver | Hyvin Jepkemoi Kiyeng | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 3000 m steeplechase |
| Silver | Vivian Cheruiyot | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 10000 m |
| Silver | Boniface Mucheru Tumuti | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's 400m hurdles |
| Silver | Paul Tanui | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's 10000 m |
| Silver | Julius Yego | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Men's Javelin |
| Bronze | Margaret Wambui | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Athletics | Women's 800 m |
| Gold | Emmanuel Korir | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's 800 metres |
| Gold | Faith Kipyegon | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Women's 1500 metres |
| Gold | Peres Jepchirchir | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Women's marathon |
| Gold | Eliud Kipchoge | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's marathon |
| Silver | Hellen Obiri | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Women's 5000 metres |
| Silver | Ferguson Rotich | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's 800 metres |
| Silver | Brigid Kosgei | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Women's marathon |
| Silver | Timothy Cheruiyot | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's 1500 metres |
| Bronze | Benjamin Kigen | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Men's 3000 metres steeplechase |
| Bronze | Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi | 2020 Tokyo | Athletics | Women's 3000 metres steeplechase |
| Gold | Beatrice Chebet | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 5000 metres |
| Gold | Beatrice Chebet | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 10,000 metres |
| Gold | Emmanuel Wanyonyi | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Men's 800 metres |
| Gold | Faith Kipyegon | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 1500 metres |
| Silver | Faith Kipyegon | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 5000 metres |
| Silver | Ronald Kwemoi | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Men's 5000 metres |
| Bronze | Mary Moraa | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 800 metres |
| Bronze | Faith Cherotich | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's 3000 metres steeplechase |
| Bronze | Abraham Kibiwott | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Men's 3000 metres steeplechase |
| Bronze | Benson Kipruto | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Men's marathon |
| Bronze | Hellen Obiri | 2024 Paris | Athletics | Women's marathon |
Multiple medal winners
| Athlete | Sex | Sport | Events | Years | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Kipyegon | F | Athletics | 1500 m, 5000m | 2012–2024 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Kipchoge Keino | M | Athletics | 1500 m, 5000 m, 3000 m st. | 1964–1972 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Eliud Kipchoge | M | Athletics | 5000 m, marathon | 2004–2020 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Ezekiel Kemboi | M | Athletics | 3000 m st. | 2004–2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| David Rudisha | M | Athletics | 800 m | 2012–2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Beatrice Chebet | F | Athletics | 5000 m, 10,000m | 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Vivian Cheruiyot | F | Athletics | 5000 m, 10,000 m | 2000–2016 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Charles Asati | M | Athletics | 4 × 400 m | 1968–1976 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Munyoro Nyamau | M | Athletics | 4 × 400 m | 1968–1972 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Brimin Kipruto | M | Athletics | 3000 m st. | 2004–2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Julius Sang | M | Athletics | 400 m, 4 × 400 m | 1968–1972 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Naftali Temu | M | Athletics | 5000 m, 10,000 m | 1964–1972 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Pamela Jelimo | F | Athletics | 800 m | 2008–2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Hellen Obiri | F | Athletics | 5000 m, Marathon | 2016–2024 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Paul Bitok | M | Athletics | 5000 m | 1992–1996 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Paul Tergat | M | Athletics | 10,000 m | 1996–2000 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Catherine Ndereba | F | Athletics | Marathon | 2004–2008 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Wilson Kiprugut | M | Athletics | 800 m | 1964–1968 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Philip Waruinge | M | Boxing | Featherweight | 1968–1972 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Erick Wainaina | M | Athletics | Marathon | 1996–2000 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Bernard Lagat | M | Athletics | 1500 m | 2000–2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Hyvin Jepkemoi | F | Athletics | 3000 m st. | 2016–2020 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
See also
- List of flag bearers for Kenya at the Olympics
- Kenya national athletics team
- Category:Olympic competitors for Kenya
- Kenya at the Paralympics
- Tropical nations at the Winter Olympics
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