Africa-Press – Kenya. The 2008 Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo is excited after finally receiving her bronze medal from the 2012 London Games, following a 10-year wait.
Jelimo was on Wednesday awarded by the National Olympic Committee (NOCK) at the Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, after a clearance by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Jelimo finished fourth in her specialty at the London games but was elevated to third following the disqualification of Russian winner Maria Savinova after an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
South Africa’s Caster Semenya, the runner up has been elevated to the gold medal position while another Russian, Ekaterina Poistogova, who was third, is now the silver medallist.
Upon her awarding, Jelimo said she feels honoured to be remembered after such a long time.
“I lack words to say… It is such an honour to be recognised. I am happy to be remembered. I have been waiting for this moment for 10 years. I am really grateful,” Jelimo said.
“This is what I deserved. It was painful to wait but I’m glad this day has come.”
Jelimo was upgraded alongside 2007 world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei, who is now the official sixth-place finisher, up from seventh.
Also upgraded was Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Hellen Obiri, who was elevated to eighth place in the 1,500m, despite finishing 12th at the London Games. Four athletes had their results cancelled due to ADRVs.
Meanwhile, Jelimo has called for a speedy evaluation of such processes to avoid anxiety.
“My children were even asking me why I am receiving an award and I haven’t been running,” she added.
The trio’s elevation follows that of Asbel Kiprop, who was elevated to the 2008 Olympics 1,500m gold medal position in December 2011 after the then winner Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain was disqualified over use of prohibited substances.
Jelimo observed that her elevation is testament that running clean always wins.
“This is a great testimony that when you run clean, you will achieve the best. Use of drugs will eventually catch up with you… even if it’s during retirement. It is also a disgrace,” she said.
Elsewhere, Nock president Paul Tergat said Jelimo’s feat should be motivation enough to athletes, adding that her reward comes at a crucial time after Kenya narrowly avoided a global ban.
“Well done Jelimo,” said Tergat, a former five-time world cross country champion.
It’s a great moment to see you (Jelimo) after a long time. This clearly depicts the fruits of competing and winning clean.”
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said: “She (Jelimo) is an honourable Olympian. However, it is very painful that she had to wait for that long to receive her glory. This is one reason why we are going to fight doping to the core.”
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