Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

competed in the

2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad () and also known as Beijing 2008 (), were an international multisport event held from 8 to 24 August 2008, in Beijing, China. A total of 10,942 athletes from 204 Na ...

held in

Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Kenya won a total of 14 medals, 6 of them gold, its best ever performance at the Olympics. Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes, 28 men and 18 women, to the

. Four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women. The remaining medals won by Kenyans were four silver and six bronze medals. Among the nation's gold medalists was

Brimin Kipruto Brimin Kipruto (born 31 July 1985) is a Kenyan professional middle distance runner who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He was born in Korkitony, Keiyo District. He holds a personal best of 7:53.64 minutes which is the ...

, who brought home the nation's seventh straight medal in the steeplechase since

1984 Events January * January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888. * January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeast A ...

. Coming in at a close third was Richard Matelong who was unable to surpass the Frenchman

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (born 15 March 1985) is a French professional middle-distance running, middle-distance runner of Algerian descent who mainly competes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He has won medals in major international competitio ...

. Kenya also marked its Olympic debut in taekwondo by sending two athletes, one man and one woman. For the first time in Olympic history, the Kenyan athletes had participated in the women's 800 meter event final. Shortly after the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the women captured a gold medal against many odds. Along with the gold, they also took home the silver as well.

Pamela Jelimo Pamela Jelimo (born 5 December 1989) is a Kenyan middle-distance runner, specialising in the 800 metres. She won the gold medal in 800 metres at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing at the age of 18. She is the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gol ...

led her fellow Kenyan

Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei (born 13 December 1983) is a Kenyan middle distance runner and former world champion. Early career Janeth, nicknamed "Eldoret Express" is from Kabirirsang, near Kapsabet. Famous athletes Wilson Kipketer and Wilfre ...

to a one-two finish. Marathon runner

Samuel Wanjiru Samuel Kamau Wanjiru (10 November 1986 – 15 May 2011) was a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2008 Beijing Olympics Marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32; becoming the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold in the marathon. He beca ...

did not only bring home the gold medal for the Kenyans, but also broke the 24-year-old Olympic record set by

Carlos Lopes Carlos Alberto de Sousa Lopes, GCIH (, born 18 February 1947) is a Portuguese former long-distance runner. He won the marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, becoming Portugal's first Olympic gold medalist and setting an Olympic ...

. The Kenyans finished the Olympics being the most successful African country in the Beijing Olympics, and 13th place in the overall country standings.

Medalists

Athletics

The following athletes have been selected for the Olympics: ;Men ;Women ;Key *Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only *Q = Qualified for the next round *q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser ''or'', in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target *NR = National record *N/A = Round not applicable for the event *Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Boxing

Kenya qualified five boxers for the Olympic boxing tournament. Bilali was the only boxer to qualify at the first African qualifying event.1st AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament
The other four boxers all earned spots at the second African tournament. In addition, welterweight boxer

Nickson Abaka Nickson is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Arthur Nickson (1902–1974), British writer of western fiction *David Nickson, Baron Nickson (born 1929), British businessman *Elizabeth Nickson, Canadian journalist *George ...

qualified for the Olympics, but missed the event due to injury.

Rowing

A sole Kenyan rower has qualified for the Olympics: ;Men

Swimming

Kenya sent two swimmers to Beijing. ;Men

Taekwondo