The 100m dash – just hearing its name sends shivers in one’s body. After all, this is the competition that gets the most attention. It is the absolute pinnacle of human speed. So is it a surprise that every single eye is currently fixed on Ferdinand Omanyala? The Kenyan is the “fastest man in Africa” and is looking to rock the Paris Olympics and perhaps the world with his unreal pace. But just how fast does Omanyala run?

That is a question that is in everyone’s mind. From setting the fastest time in Africa this season to being one of the top favorites in the Olympics, Omanyala is going through an absolute tear. However, what makes him special isn’t just his speed but his thoughts. Despite having a rocket strapped to his back, Omanyala’s story has resonated just as much with Kenyans as it has with fans all over the world.

Learn about the speed of Ferdinand Omanyala

“I’ll go down as the fastest sprinter Kenya has ever had,” Ferdinand Omanyala said to Olympics.com. And he wasn’t lying. Omanyala has become a synonym of speed in his home country and it is for a good reason. In 2021, Omanyala set a 100m record in Africa with an amazing timing of 9.77 seconds. That record has stayed firm since then, though Omanyala knows it’ll be broken soon.

“Of course, my records will be broken, but (I’ll be) the person who came about and changed the notion that Kenyans are only known for long and middle distance,” Omanyala said. He certainly has succeeded in his endeavor. The African country has gone from being a long-distance juggernaut to being a sprinting giant in general. That is one of the reasons why Omanyala is a big favorite for the Paris Olympics.

But then, could Omanyala be the one to break his own record? The chances of that happening cannot be denied. This year, he came incredibly close with a 9.79-second finish in the Olympic trials, the second-best timing of the season, showcasing just how ready Ferdinand Omanyala is. However, there’s much more to this Kenyan sprinter’s story that makes him so special.

What makes Omanyala one of the best track and field stars in history?

Ferdinand Omanyala’s story is one of redemption. Multiple narratives have surrounded his career since its beginning, with the most significant being the doping scandal that led to his 14-month ban in 2017. While his entire career was at stake, Omanyala continued to plead not guilty, explaining that the positive result was due to medication he was given for a back injury.

However, that ban set the stage for a giant uphill battle. After years of waiting, the 2021 record proved to be a turning point for Omanyala, but then another narrative followed. Despite posting historical numbers, Omanyala seemingly chokes in big events. He failed to qualify for the finals in the Tokyo Olympics and finished 7th in the 2023 World Championship. But that doesn’t hide the fact that Ferdinand Omanyala’s impact on track and field transcends prizes.

Omanyala united Kenya with his electrifying running. For the first time in a long while, the country saw a hero in him, and the stain of the doping scandal vanished. In fact, Kenyans have named their newborn babies after Ferdinand Omanyala just to honor him. Omanyala’s graffiti adorns buses and walls in Kenya, showcasing how inspirational his presence is for his countrymen.

So as Ferdinand Omanyala looks to recreate his 2021 story in the Olympics, one can feel the nerves getting stronger. Could he erase the tag of the choker as he erased the doping stain? What do you think?