He is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, African athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Blind cyclist Kennedy Ogada is realizing a lifelong dream of taking part in his first Games, as he approaches the age of 53. A specialist on the track, for which he had qualified, his federation has chosen to line him up on the road. Last in the time trial on Wednesday, September 4, he intends to show his jersey and his pride this Friday, September 6 during the road race in Clichy-sous-Bois, northeast of Paris.
RFI: You will be 53 in October and these are your first Paralympic Games, that must be very exciting for you?
Kennedy Ogada: Yes, I feel very honoured to represent my country, because it has been quite an adventure for me. It didn’t come easily, you saw that it took me time. At first, I was running with the able-bodied. And then, after I lost my sight, I met someone who was doing tandem. I asked him: ” What is the guy doing behind ? ” The person replied that it was the blind man’s placebut he also pedaled. So, since I really liked this sport, I decided to give it a try, and that’s when I started tandem. That was a long time ago, 16 or 17 years now.
What level were you when you were running in the able-bodied category?
It must have been hard for you to improve as a rider, as cycling is not a very popular sport in Kenya?
- RFI
