Tecla Chemabwai Sang, the first female to represent Kenya at the Olympics has come out to reveal a blunder that made her lose gold.
She noted that during her 800m race at the 1978 Commonwealth Game, she lost track of how many laps she had covered which led her to lose at the finish line.
The athlete was the only African athlete to reach the 800m finals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta.
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“During the race, I forgot the finish line as I had forgotten how many laps I had run around the track. Actually, that’s what led to me losing the race as I was asking myself where the finishing line was.
“I realised I was the one who was ahead and the rest were just behind me. I and the other girl crossed the line at the same time but she was ahead of me.
The retired athlete began her athletics career with sprint races in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. She represented Kenya in the 1969 Olympics in Mexico at the age of 13.
Tecla noted that during her youth days she took part in all sports excluding hockey before being recruited by her teacher to athletics.
“I played all sports including football, volleyball and netball, the only sport I did not participate in was hockey as I was afraid.
“Eventually my teacher approached me and asked why I was not running. He later helped me join athletics.
At the 1969 Olympic Tecla together with Elizabeth Chesire and Lydia Stephens Oketch were the first three female athletes to represent Kenya
Tecla noted that during that time it took the interventions of officials and the legendary Kipchoge Keino to teach her the dos and don’ts.
“At that time, I did not know what was happening. I was shown how to use a fork and knife while eating. Everything was foreign to me luckily Kip Keino came to my rescue.
She added that boarding the plane and seeing foreigners excited her the most during that period, having come from the village.
In 1972 Tecla together with Leah Chelimo Maiyo were the only female athletes who represented Kenya at the Munich Olympics in Germany. Tecla was, however, eliminated in round two of the 400m race. In 1973 she was able to win a gold medal at the African Games in Lagos, Nigeria.
For the third time in a row, Tecla qualified to represent Kenya at the 1976 Montreal Olympics that was held in Canada. However, Kenya withdrew from the competitions in support of South Africa after the International Olympic Committee refused to ban New Zealand.
While focusing on her education Tecla missed the opportunity to represent the country at the 1976 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand as she was preparing to sit for her final exams in secondary school.
She later moved to the USA for further studies before returning to Kenya where she worked as a lecturer. Tecla, while advising the current crop of athletes, urged them to be cautious with their earnings, spend less and invest more.
“Right now, I can say women are bringing in more medals than the men. Let us give them the opportunity and see how much they can deliver.
“Run and make money then invest that money because your athletics career will end,” Tecla stated.
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