SPORTS
THE MAASAI OLYMPICS
The Inaugural Maasai Olympic Games, Of Souther Kenya was watched over by Olympic champion and 800m world record holder, David Rudisha, and former 800m World Champion Billy Konchellah.
There was a time when in order to prove their ! manhood and attract the girls, a Maasai warrior had to kill a lion. Today, in the Maasailand, Maasai groups do not hunt lion but instead compete against each other to ! high-jump, Maasai-style on the spot; throw spears (javelins); run 5000m and emulate Mo Farrah and doing the unorthodox Mobot move; throw their traditional rungu at targets; and sprint 200m and pull a lightning bolt celebratory pose.
The rewards for the Maasai, other than finding potential mates, include sponsorship to train in Kenya's high- altitude training camp of Eldoret and then compete in the New York Marathon, win educational ! scholar- ships, a stud bull, and to meet their!heroes!and fellow Maasai David Rudisha, Billy Konchellah and Ruth Waithera Nganga. Wildlife flourishes and conservation tourism benefits all!communities!it operates in. Instead of hunting for lions these Maasai are competing for trophies of a very!different!sort, bringing respect, pride and esteem.
