• It wouldn’t cost anyone much to acknowledge that someone is good at something
• You might present a perfect opportunity for healthy competition for the opposite party, but let’s learn to give people their flowers
Image: Handout
We need to learn to give people their flowers when they deserve them.
Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa deserve their flowers.
These two women have stretched the limits when it comes to Kenyan athletics.
We have one way or another been positively stereotyped into athletes.
Anytime someone from a different nationality meets a Kenyan, the first thing they relate us to is running.
They assume we are athletes.
This is evidence enough that the standards have been set, the bars are high enough and this is a good thing.
In terms of sports and narrowing it down to athletics, as a people, Kenya has a rich history.
We have and still continue to have a huge list of legends that keep shining our name out there.
Ezekiel Kemboi, Kipchoge Keino, Eliud Kipchoge, Benjamin Kogo, Ferdinand Omanyala, Paul Tergat, Brigid Kosgei, Pamela Jelimo, Hellen Obiri, Vivian Cheruiyot, Catherine Ndereba, you name them.
I do not see a problem in giving each and every one of them their flowers.
They are legends in their own way and have succeeded in their own way.
I saw a video online of a Kenyan athlete who was being interviewed, and the interviewer wanted a comment on Eliud Kipchoge being termed as the fastest man.
This was based on the world marathon record he set of 1:59.
What I expected from the athlete was he would give Kipchoge his flowers and then proceed to make his sentiments.
He instead proceeded to talk of how anyone can beat the 1:59, Kipchoge is not fast and all.
I am not disputing the fact that anyone can set a record that beats 1:59.
In any case, as per Eliud Kipchoge’s words, no human is limited.
The athlete’s sentiments were valid, but the fact that he avoided acknowledging Kipchoge’s achievement and give him his moment of grace did not sit well with me.
I share in the same trail of thoughts as those who commented in the video.
It wouldn’t cost anyone much to acknowledge that someone is good at something.
Even if you are in the same space or differ in sectors, if someone works hard to become who they are and become the best, give them their moments.
You might present a perfect opportunity for healthy competition for the opposite party, but let’s learn to give people their flowers.
We can easily become our own enemies because most of the time, we simply do not give credit where it is due.
If you have watched the clip I am referring to, perhaps you might feel different, but we can learn a lot when it comes to matters of attribution.
It doesn’t cost much to clap for others when they make their achievement.
Your time will come and we will equally clap for you.
Again, let’s give people their flowers when they deserve them.
I love how Eliud Kipchoge keeps posting about Faith Kipyegon.
I remember seeing a clip of him cheering on Kipyegon through a TV screen and thereafter burst out into excitement after she crossed the finish line bagging the gold medal.
That’s true sportsmanship.
We are all different and we break barriers and make histories in our own way.
To all our Kenyan sports women and men, I give you all your flowers.
You make history and equally put our name out there, proving that we bring the best of the best.
Keep up the good work.