From left: Elizabeth Chesire, Tecla Chemabwai and Lydia Stephens Okech who represented Kenya at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
Despite a lack of training gear and facilities, three Kenyan women etched their names in history at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, positioning Kenya on the global athletics stage. They may have received little recognition, but their achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes.
The three — Elizabeth Chesire, Tecla Chemabwai, and Lydia Stephens Okech — laid the foundation for Kenya’s dominance in athletics. Their resilience and determination opened doors for future generations, proving that talent, even when nurtured under difficult circumstances, can leave an indelible mark on the global stage.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, these three pioneers look back on their journey and celebrate the strides made in women's sports.
Elizabeth Chesire, one of the first three Kenyan women to compete at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, during an interview in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County February 26, 2025.
Elizabeth Chesire (800m): Choosing education over athletics
Representing Kenya in the 800m race while still a student at Kapsabet Girls High School, Chesire finished sixth in her heat in a time of 2:10.9. The experience proved transformative, earning her an audience with Kenya’s first president, the late Jomo Kenyatta.
“When we arrived in Nairobi, the President hosted us and, since we were so young, he asked, ‘Do you need to be employed, or do you want to continue with education?’” Chesire recalls. “I chose a free scholarship, which he immediately ordered the Ministry of Education to implement.”
She later attended St. Joseph’s Teachers Training College and became a teacher, where she nurtured future champions, including 1988 Olympic 800m gold medallist Paul Ereng, Ben Maiyo, Paul Evans, and renowned coach Boniface Tiren.
Chesire retired from teaching in 2007 and now lives on her farm in Cherangany Hills, Trans Nzoia County.
Tecla Chemabwai, one of the first three Kenyan women to compete at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, during an interview in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County February 26, 2025.
Tecla Chemabwai (400m, 800m): A trailblazer in Kenyan athletics
Chemabwai’s career extended beyond Mexico 1968. She became the first Kenyan woman to win gold at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos (400m) and went on to compete at the 1972 Munich Olympics, reaching the 400m semi-finals. She won a silver medal in the 800m at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
She reflects on her early days: “We loved sports, and we didn’t even realize we were just three women. We simply wanted to show that anything is possible if you stay focused.”
Starting as a football player in primary school, Chemabwai transitioned to athletics after being spotted by a games teacher. With no coach, she relied purely on talent, but after joining Team Kenya, she trained under the late coach Charles Mukora.
“In Mexico, when I saw the white athletes, I lost the race before even competing,” she admits. “It was my first big event, and anxiety overwhelmed me.”
Chemabwai later earned a scholarship to study at Chicago State University before transferring to New Mexico University, balancing education and athletics. After returning to Kenya in 1982, she worked as a trainer at Rift Valley Institute of Technology and later at Moi University.
Today, she runs Tecla Chemabwai Sang Education Primary School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Lydia Stephens Okech, one of the first three Kenyan women to compete at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, during an interview in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County February 26, 2025.
Lydia Stephens Okech (100m, 200m): Overcoming adversity in sprinting
Lydia Okech’s journey to the Olympics was riddled with challenges. She sustained an injury while training at the team camp in Nyahururu, a setback that would ultimately end her career.
“Getting injured back then was like having a plague—nobody wanted to associate with you,” she recalls. “I couldn’t continue competing.”
Her love for athletics began at Ribe Intermediary School in Mombasa, later excelling at Murray High School, where she reached national-level relay events in 1956. She later joined Alliance Girls High School, playing netball and earning a spot on the national team.
In 1966, she competed in the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, despite inadequate training.
“I was given spikes, but they were too heavy. In the final, I ran barefoot and won both the 100m and 200m races,” she says.
After competing in Mexico 1968, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Nairobi. Looking back, Okech is pleased with the progress in women’s athletics.
“Situations have changed, but we must keep working hard. When I see today’s athletes being paid well and supporting their families, I feel good. They deserve every penny.”
She now resides in Nairobi with her family.
