2008 Being 800m Olympic Games Pamela Jelimo is officially the 2012 Games 800m bronze medalist after the International Olympics Committee reconstituted results from London.
This is after disqualifying Russian Mariya Savinova, who placed first over doping violations.
The bronze now increases Kenyans medal from London Games to 12 medals.
Savinov has been stripped of her 800m London 2012 Olympic Games gold medal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2017 imposed a four-year ban saying there was “clear evidence” she used performance-enhancing drugs.
The retroactive four-year penalty started on Aug. 24, 2015, but CAS also disqualified all of Savinova’s results from July 26, 2010, to Aug. 19, 2013, thereby stripping her of her 2011 world championships gold, 2013 world silver and 2010 European gold.
South Africa’s double silver medalist Caster Semenya has been promoted to gold in both the 2012 Olympics and 2011 world championships.
“It’s an honour, and a great one at the same time. My appeal to athletes is to run clean and you will be able to win what you deserve. I also appeal to athlete is to be patient, and work hard towards your goals in sports. It’s ten years since the event happened but still, I’m feeling like I’m just from the race, too much adrenaline right now for me,” said Jelimo who was presented with the medal by legendary Kipchoge Keino at the event held at the National Museum of Kenya on Wednesday.
Jelimo became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Games and also the first Kenyan to win the Golden League Jackpot now Diamond League.
Jelimo picked up running while still a student at Koyo Secondary in the Kaptumo and is an instructor at Kiganjo Police Training College also holds both the 800m world junior record and the senior African record over the distance.
The award came at the time Kenya’s reputation as a global athletics powerhouse risks being sacrificed on the altar of doping was at the edge of two by World Athletics.
Both Sports Secretary Ababu Namwamba and National Olympic Committee of Kenya Paul Tergat acknowledged Jelimo, Janeth Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri for their performance at the 2012 London Games and call out on doping in the country.
There is more honour to lose honourable than win by cheating.
Pamela had to wait for ten years to receive her medal just because other athletes played dirty, it’s unfortunate.
“As a country we are going to deal with doping once and for all, and our mantra is zero tolerance to doping,” said Namwamba.
“Kenyan athletes over the years have displayed impeccable performance, it was unfortunate Jelimo and Janeth didn’t not finish within medal bracket in London. And today we are doing presentation of the medal, 10 years later because Savinova didn’t not play by the rule of the game and was disqualified due doping violation. This an honour for clean athletes,” said Tergat.
Tergat added: “It’s also unfortunate at this event comes at a time Kenya is at global map for doping violation. We must ensure our sports is clean. I hope these athletes will champion for clean sports.”
Also recognized at the event was the 2008 Olympic 800m silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei who received an upgrade, a Certificate of Diploma for her sixth-place race at the 2012 Games.
World 10000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri, who also received a certificate of Diploma for her 8th place in women’s 1500m at her first Olympic Games in London following fourth athletes in the category being disqualified for doping.
Jelimo’s medal glance
Gold medal 2008 Beijing Olympics 800m
Bronze medal 2008 London Olympics 800m
Gold medal 2012 World Indoor Istanbul 800m
Gold medal 2008 African Champions Addis Ababa 800m
silver medal 2008 African Champions Addis Ababa 4x400m relays
