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Trump Praises Kenyan Athletes’ Dominance, Invites President Ruto to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump expressed admiration for Kenya’s athletic prowess on Thursday, marveling at the country’s track and field dominance and extending a personal invitation to President William Ruto to attend the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as his guest.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Washington Accord—a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda—Trump singled out Kenya’s remarkable success in Olympic athletics, particularly in long-distance running events.

“I have just really a fantastic meeting with the president of Kenya,” Trump said during his remarks at the White House. “We have the Olympics here. They do very well in the Olympics, those runners. I don’t know what the heck you do with those runners, but they’re really good.”

The president’s comments drew attention to Kenya’s storied Olympic legacy, with the East African nation having accumulated 117 medals in athletics since its Olympic debut in 1964. At the most recent Summer Games in Paris in 2024, Kenyan athletes claimed 11 medals.

A Legacy of Excellence

Kenya’s Olympic success is almost entirely concentrated in track and field events, where the country has become synonymous with middle and long-distance running excellence. Of Kenya’s 124 total Olympic medals, 117 have come from athletics, including 39 gold medals.

The nation’s runners have consistently dominated events ranging from the 800 meters to the marathon, with Kenyan athletes holding numerous world records and producing some of the sport’s most legendary performers.

Trump acknowledged President Ruto’s government for its support of Kenya’s athletes, praising the infrastructure and backing provided to the country’s sports programs.

2028 Olympics Invitation

Following his praise of Kenyan athletic achievement, Trump extended a formal invitation to President Ruto to attend the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“You’ll come as our guest,” Trump told Ruto during the ceremony, which was attended by leaders from several African nations including Angola, Burundi, and Kenya, alongside officials from Rwanda and the DRC.

The 2028 Summer Olympics, scheduled to take place from July 14 to 30, 2028, will mark the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Games, following the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. It will be the first Summer Games held in the United States since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Presidential Focus on Major Sporting Events

Trump has made major international sporting events a priority during his second term, establishing a White House task force in August 2025 to oversee preparations for the Los Angeles Games. The president chairs the task force himself, with Vice President JD Vance serving as vice chair.

The administration has emphasized security coordination, streamlined visa processing for athletes and officials, and positioning the Games as an opportunity to showcase American excellence on the global stage. Officials project the 2028 Olympics will generate approximately $18 billion in nationwide economic activity and support around 90,000 jobs.

Trump has also highlighted the 2026 FIFA World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as among the events he is most anticipating during his presidency.

Kenya’s Olympic Standouts

Kenya’s Olympic legacy includes some of the greatest middle and long-distance runners in history. David Rudisha captured consecutive gold medals in the 800 meters at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, setting a world record in 2012 that still stands. He holds the three fastest men’s 800-meter times ever recorded.

Faith Kipyegon, the current women’s world record holder in both the 1500 meters and the mile, has won three Olympic gold medals and five World Athletics Championship titles, cementing her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The country’s marathon prowess has also been unmatched in recent decades, with Kenyan runners regularly dominating the world’s most prestigious road races.

Regional Peace Talks

Trump’s comments about Kenyan athletics came during a broader diplomatic event focused on regional stability in Central Africa. The Washington Accord aims to resolve longstanding tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with Rwanda having been accused by Kinshasa of supporting M23 rebels in the eastern Congolese city of Goma.

The peace deal signing brought together multiple African leaders, reflecting Washington’s engagement with the continent on security and diplomatic matters.

As preparations continue for the 2028 Games, Kenya’s athletes are expected to once again feature prominently in track and field events, upholding the nation’s reputation as a dominant force in Olympic athletics.