The 100m dash – just hearing its name sends shivers in one’s body. After all, this is the competition that gets the most attention. It is the absolute pinnacle of human speed. So is it a surprise that every single eye is currently fixed on Ferdinand Omanyala? The Kenyan is theand is looking to rock the Paris Olympics and perhaps the world with his unreal pace. But just how fast does Omanyala run?

That is a question that is in everyone’s mind. From setting the fastest time in Africa this season to being one of the top favorites in the Olympics, Omanyala is going through an absolute tear. However, what makes him special isn’t just his speed but his thoughts. Despite having a rocket strapped to his back, Omanyala’s story has resonated just as much with Kenyans as it has with fans all over the world.

“I’ll go down as the fastest sprinter Kenya has ever had,” Ferdinand Omanyala said to Olympics.com. And he wasn’t lying. Omanyala has become a synonym of speed in his home country and it is for a good reason. In 2021, Omanyala set a 100m record in Africa with an amazing timing of 9.77 seconds. That record has stayed firm since then, though Omanyala knows it’ll be broken soon.

“Of course, my records will be broken, but (I’ll be) the person who came about and changed the notion that Kenyans are only known for long and middle distance,” Omanyala said. He certainly has succeeded in his endeavor. The African country has gone from being a long-distance juggernaut to being a sprinting giant in general. That is one of the reasons why Omanyala is a big favorite for the Paris Olympics.