Ferdinand Omanyala is one of the most decorated Kenyan sprinters who has left the crowd in awe by becoming an overnight sensation in 2022. Despite facing a 14-month suspension during the formative days of his career, he has several accolades to his name including winning the first international title at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Holding the national record in the 60m race, Omanyala, Naver gave up. With great enthusiasm and high sportiness towards track and field, Omanyala tried hard to get back his coveted status. But what was the suspension for?

Ferdinand Omanyala and coach Duncan Ayiemba landed in hot water

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala had to face a major setback in 2017. For an Anti-doping Rule Violation, Omanyala was penalized with a 14-month ban after testing positive for glucocorticoid betamethasone. However, his coach Duncan Ayiemba had to face a 2 years suspension for ‘administration or attempted administration of betamethasone’.

“I was banned for 14 months but during the period, I was still training because I did not dope intentionally…I took a painkiller and it was later found to have some steroids in it,” he added in an interview earlier. Additionally, he also shared some key lessons that he learned from his doping incident, he said that a professional athlete should be aware to protect their career and must not “consume anything served” to them. He also shed light on how his unawareness affected his shining career.

Omanyala clarified how his unawareness almost destroyed his career

Facing the guilt of doping, track and field rising star Ferdinand had to stay away from the biggest athletics championship. Due to unawareness, Omanyala’s career was almost demolished. During the national trials, Omanyala previously  remarked that “the majority of local athletes are naive about the doping menace and they fall easily into the trap unknowingly.”

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Ferdinand has however recovered to delight his fans, notching the national title in the 100 meters in 2019. He continued to set the national record with his stellar performances. In 2021, he clocked in 10.01 seconds in the 100 m leaving his lasting impression on meeting at Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos, Nigeria.

After this splendid performance, he was selected for the Olympics. In Tokyo, he made history after breaking his national record from 10.01 to 10.00, Omanyala became the first Kenyan to compete in the semifinals of the men’s 100m at the Olympics. Hence, now, as Ferdinand speaks from his experience, he suggests athletes stay away from self-medication. Africa’s prodigy is currently looking forward to the upcoming Paris Olympics to bring more accolades.

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