Commonwealth Games 2022: All Systems Go As Team Kenya Begins Medal Hunt in Birmingham

• Kenya will officially begin their chase for glory when the women's hockey team and men's rugby team get their campaigns underway in Birmingham
• The Kenya team dazzled in red outfits during a glamorous opening ceremony on Thursday night
• World men's 800 metres champion Emmanuel Korir will spearhead Kenya's charge for medals, with Ferdinand Omanyala looking to bounce back

Kenya impressed at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The legion of more than 100 athletes was clad in red attire as they matched at the Alexander Stadium.

Kenya was led by Africa's fastest man and record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala and women's wheelchair basketballer Caroline Wanjira, the flagbearers.

The competition is set to run till August 8th, with Kenya having representatives in 17 disciplines. This is the 22nd edition of the games that has attracted 56 nations and over 5,000 athletes.

Ferdinand Omanyala opens up on his semifinal loss at World Championships, looks ahead to Commonwealth Games

Athletics

Kenya's hopes for medals will lie primarily with the runners. The majority of the team selected were part of the team that represented Kenya at the World Athletics Championships. Omanyala will be looking to put his visa issues in Oregon aside and dethrone South African Akani Simbine.

Newly-crowned 800 metres world champion Emmanuel Korir will also take to the field after a dazzling display in Oregon. He will be looking to add the Commonwealth title to his world and Olympic titles.

Kenya will open their campaign on Friday(today) through the women's hockey team when they take on New Zealand. Kenya men's rugby team Shujaa will then lock horns with neighbour Uganda before facing Jamaica later in the day.

The last edition of the games was held in Gold Coast, Australia, where Kenya managed to win four gold, seven silver and six bronze. Kenya's best-ever performance remains at the New Delhi Games of 2010, where they bagged 12 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze.

First medals for Team Kenya as Hellen Obiri and Margaret Kipkemboi get podium finishes in Oregon

Athletics

How Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake combined to give the world the best-ever race in the 4 by 100 metres race

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake need no reintroduction as far as sprinting is concerned. They are part of the generation from Jamaica that has so often dominated all the short races since the turn of the century.

Bolt is arguably the best ever, given that he is a double World and Olympic Champion. He also still holds the world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 4 by 100 relay.

But no one will ever forget how the 2012 Olympic Games in London brought to the fore the best of the Jamaican and the USA teams in the 4 by 100m race.