Despite misfortunes for Kenyan representatives in boxing, rugby, volleyball and taekwondo, 2014 Commonwealth 800m champion Eunice Sum still has her fingers crossed for a massive medal haul at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sum said a better overall performance than the Rio Olympics in 2016 would place Kenya on a higher pedestal as a sports powerhouse continentally and worldwide.
"My wish is to see Team Kenya go back home with more medals than the previous ones. It would be my greatest joy as an athlete and as a Kenyan, not only in athletics, but in volleyball and even rugby all the other sports. It would be a great achievement to go this extra milestone," Sum said.
At the last edition, Kenya returned home with a total of 13 medals (six gold, six silver and one bronze) including a silver medal in javelin courtesy of Julius Yego.
The former world champion was named as the overall skipper of Team Kenya and has admitted it is a humongous responsibility that she is nonetheless proud to bear.
"The task that I have been given is a great one and I don't take it for granted. I know I am up to the task and I am happy and privileged to be given this position," she said.
Her campaign for an Olympic gold commences on Friday when she lines up against other athletes in the heats for the women's 800m.
Other Kenyan representatives in the race include national 400m champion Mary Moraa and Emily Tuei.
Sum, who arrived in the Japanese capital three days ago, has no qualms about the humid weather.
"I think the weather is good compared to the one in Doha in 2017, which was a bit hotter. A championship is a championship. In any case, I am prepared and my target remains to win a medal," she said.
Elsewhere, world 800m bronze medalist Ferguson Rotich says he will be taking it one step at a time as he bids for his first Olympic gold medal.
