Kenya’s 800m gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was the special guest of honour at the second annual Africa Week Athletics.
Wilfred Bungei was on hand to witness two days of top-class schools athletics in Dublin’s Morton Stadium, which hosted the highlight of the week’s events on Tuesday and Wednesday 21-22 May – a unique athletics meet called ‘One Race Human Race’.
Big winners on day one in the Fingal Athletics League events were St Peter and Paul in Baldoyle, which won best new school, while best overall school went to St Patrick’s NS in Diswellstown.
Meanwhile on day two, labelled the Kip Keino Invitational Meet, star of the day was eight-year-old Ikpoyokon from Offaly, who won both the 100m and 400m in the Under-12 category.
Reflecting on the two days, guest of honour Wilfred Bungei said: “My trip here has been fruitful. Talking to school kids and encouraging them is important to me because I am a product of a school teacher who encouraged me in athletics from an early age.
“Sport is a big industry and putting our kids in sport activities will take them away from vices like drugs.”
British Olympic hero Mo Farah, who also supports the initiative, sent a special message for the event, thanking all for their “efforts both on and off the track with the Mo Farah Foundation” and saying he looks forward to hearing about the progress of Ireland’s young athletes during this EU Year of Citizens.
Niall McGuirk, senior sports development officer with Fingal County Council, pointed out that the programme created a fun atmosphere where the children who attended were physically active, and gave “all abilities an opportunity to take part”.
He also gave special thanks to Bart Rodgers of Athletics Ireland “for his commitment to the league, and a special word of thanks to the teachers and principals who are all helping to develop a strong sporting ethos in their respective schools.
McGuirk added: “Aside from all the children who took part, the star of the day was Wilfred Bungei. The Olympic winner was a massive hit with all the participants and he very patiently – and with a constant smile on his face – signed autographs on paper, runners, medals and even skin!”
More than 1,400 people – the vast majority pupils and teachers from 35 schools throughout the county of Fingal – attended the meet, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union.
Africa Week Athletics is an initiative of Sport Against Racism Ireland (Sari) in partnership with Fingal County Council’s Sports Office, the Africa Centre, Clonliffe Harriers, Dublin Multicultural Resource Centre and Athletics Ireland, and supported by Metro Éireann.
