Meet Sabriner Wanjiku, the only Kenyan going to Winter Olympics
Sabriner Wanjiku Samider will be Kenya’s lone representative at the 2018 Winter Olympics set for Pyeongchang between February 9 and March 9.
Austria-based Samider qualified for the Olympics early last year. She will be the first female to don Kenyan colours at the snowy event and only the second after Philip Boit (1998, 2002 and 2006).
Boit will be among Samider’s support team alongside her parents, Reif Christian (coach), Reif Andrea Maria (physiotherapist) and Klaus Trischer (kit and equipment).
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Boit, who has been one of Samider’s coaches over the years.
“Being the pioneer of skiing in Kenya, I am glad that my legacy continues as Samider heads to South Korea.”
TOP 20 FINISH
Samider is targeting at least a top 20 finish which will open the way for others.
Seventeen year-old Switzerland-based David Mwangangi missed qualification by just seven points, just as US-based free-styler identified as George.
The Winter Olympics will have 102 events across 15 disciplines in seven sports, while the Paralympic Games will have 80 events across 6 disciplines in 6 sports.
Competitions will be held at 13 venues for the Olympics but the opening and closing ceremonies will be housed at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, a temporary structure with capacity for 35,000 spectators.