This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Published on May 7, 2020, the world was at a standstill as the coronavirus crisis unfolded, with Kenyan athletes facing a significant loss of Sh5 billion in earnings due to the suspension of sporting activities worldwide.
However, amidst the devastation, the pandemic has taught us that nothing is permanent, and this crisis has presented a fresh start for our athletes. As athletes, we must have a conversation with ourselves to diversify our income streams, as careers like athletics hardly have second chances.
With the pandemic forcing us to re-evaluate our priorities, it's time to search for our other strengths in life. If your strength lies in farming or business, now is the perfect time to pursue it. Those who are able to go back to school to pursue different courses should also do so, taking advantage of online educational opportunities during this period.
The good thing about this period is that we have been able to bond better with our families, who would otherwise be neglected due to our demanding training schedules. As I said earlier, young athletes are at a bigger risk of messing up their career, and the elite runners must join hands and try to mentor them.
Reports of a financial stimuli plan by the Ministry of Sports are also a welcome development for athletes, who continue to remain in the confines of their homes due to government restrictions on public gatherings. I would like to thank Noc-K for their efforts to engage with sportspeople online on various subjects, and I encourage athletes to take part whenever they can, as it will go a long way to enrich their lives post-athletics.
