Athletics Kenya (AK) has rolled out the red carpet for the nation’s World Cross Country heroes, signaling the start of a serious campaign to reclaim global dominance ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In a ceremony that blended nostalgia with strategy, AK officials feted the legends who have conquered the mud and hills of global courses. But the celebration came with a stern warning: the world is catching up. The "Roadmap to LA28" strategy is AK’s answer to the waning dominance in events like the 3000m steeplechase, which was once Kenya’s birthright.

Reclaiming the Throne

"We cannot live on past glory," an AK official remarked. The federation is now laser-focused on the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) partnership to groom the next generation. With cross-country potentially joining the Winter Olympics roster, the stakes have never been higher.

• The Goal: To build a squad capable of sweeping the medals in LA 2028.
• The Strategy: Early identification of talent and specialized training camps, moving away from road running distractions.
• The Context: Kenya faces stiff competition from Uganda and Ethiopia, who have eaten into our medal tallies in recent years.

Running for Gold

As the legends were applauded, the eyes in the room were on the young, lanky teenagers in the back—the future stars. They are the ones who will have to execute the "Roadmap to LA28." The message from the gala was simple: the training starts now. The hills of Iten remain the forge, but the strategy must evolve.