Kenyans have expressed optimism the national team to this year's Beijing Olympics will win more medals which haveeluded them in the previous global events.

From athletics officials to ordinary persons, Kenyans said they will be following their own medal hopefuls on their television stations and the Internet.

They said they have probably the best chance of winning more medals at the Olympics.

"Our athletes are phenomenal, our Olympic programs run deep and we rule the long and middle distance events and I don't know what will prevent us from winning more medals," said Solomon Mungai, a Nairobi hawker.

Kenya's best performance at an Olympic Games was the 1988 outing where the country won a total of nine medals, five gold, two silver and two bronze.

Kenyans hold varied views concerning the anticipated performance during this year's Beijing Games, but are however upbeat about Kenya's newest sensation, 800m woman runner, Pamela Jelimo and her counterpart, world champion Janeth Jepkosgei.

There is also high talk about the 3,000m steeplechase where the Kenyan trio of defending Olympic champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, Richard Matelongand Brimin Kipruto whom they said carry the nation's hopes of maintaining the Kenyan tradition of winning a gold medal in every Olympic Games the country has participated in.

"Kenya will win four gold medals: 800m (women), 3,000m steeplechase and both marathon men and women's title. The Ethiopians will sweep both the 5,000m and 10,000m men and women's titles," said David Kinyanyui, a trader in Thika, about 40km east of Nairobi.

The marathon runners are also getting a good mention with the men's team of four-time Boston Marathon winner Robert Cheruiyot, two-time London Marathon winner Martin Lel and world half- Marathon record holder Samuel Wanjiru expected to translate their winning ways into an Olympic win.

The women's team has a medal hopeful in Catherine Ndereba who will be supported in the duel by Salina Kosgei and Martha Komu.

"I foresee us winning only two gold medals, the3,000m steeplechase and 800m. Jelimo should not rest on her laurels because the Russian team has got the strength and experience to dash her dreams," said James Ondimu, 51, banker.

"However, I have confidence that we will maintain our winning streak in the water-jump event."

For the east African nation, athletes to watch out for in Beijing will be Cheruiyot, a long distance marathoner, Jelimo, a young female 800m runner who has won almost every one of her races this summer; Kemboi who specializes in the steeplechase; Edwin Cheruiyot Soi in the 5,000m and Wilfred Bungei who runs the men's 800m.

"There are plenty more athletes with a good chance in Beijing, it's an exciting squad to watch," Peter Angwenyi, a spokesman for the Athletics Kenya, told Xinhua.

"We will have a bountiful medal harvest because this is the strongest team ever we are taking to the Olympic Games. I foresee a gold medal in the 1,500m through Augustine Choge who has climbed down from 5,000m," Angwenyi said.

"Jelimo, any member of the marathon men's team,Catherine Ndereba (women's marathon) will bring home gold medals not to mention the many silver and bronze that we will bag."

Kenya first participated at the Olympic Games in 1956 and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except for the boycotted 1976 and 1980 Games. Kenyan athletes have won a total of 61 medals, all in athletics and boxing.

"Jelimo and the marathon men's team and Catherine Ndereba are our best hopes for gold medals. The Ethiopians will spoil the party in the longer races," said Ken Nato, a journalist.

The 18-year-old Jelimo continues to be the talking point in Beijing. She believes the inspiration she will get from a few daily sips of this ceremonial milk drink she carried with her to Beijing will translate into a memorable burst of speed that could see her set one of the first world record on the newly-laid track at the Beijing National Olympic Stadium.

"The weather here is great, it's warm and it provides a good chance for a good performance," Jelimo told privately owned television station, NTV outside the Olympic Village in Beijing.

"If the field is good and the pace right, I cannot rule out a world record."

According to Omulo Okoth, a sports editor with the Standard newspaper, the country's young and experienced athletes at the Olympic Games in Beijing are only comparable to the team that shook the foundation of the Games in 1968 Mexico and in Seoul two decades ago.

Okoth said Kenyans are in Beijing to enrich its silverware. And that they are likely to do without much ado.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)