Not many athletes have switched from competing for Germany to Kenya, but then Alexandra Ndolo – a former military veteran-turned-model who is eyeing Africa’s first Olympic fencing gold medal – is not one to take the easy option.
Add in the fact that she’s trying to perform well enough in Paris to ensure she receives funding from Kenyan authorities to continue competing, and it’s clear the 37-year-old has plenty to focus on as her childhood Olympic dream finally materialises.
The first Kenyan fencer to compete at the Olympics, she will take to the piste in epee as a serious contender, having won a World Fencing Championships silver medal for Germany in 2022.
Just two months later, she stunned many by switching allegiance to Kenya in honour of her late father, who was raised in the East African nation.
“I feel like even when it has been hard, he’s with me every step of the way,” Ndolo told BBC Sport Africa.
“I know he would be proud of me, and [I believe] he’s watching.”
Africa has won just two Olympic fencing medals, with Egypt’s Alaaeldin Abouelkassem taking silver in 2012 in the men’s individual foil before Tunisian Ines Boubakri won bronze in the women’s foil four years later.
“I don’t see it as a burden, I see it as a chance to bring some joy and pride to the continent,” Ndolo said.
Ndolo – who also has a silver and bronze from the 2017 and 2019 European championships respectively – also wants to shine in order to spread a message dear to her heart.
Having suffered as a mixed-race girl growing up in Germany, Ndolo is desperate to boost body positivity among the next generation with African roots.
“I hope that I will reach an even bigger audience with the Olympics – and that I will inspire not just East African black and brown girls, but black and brown girls all over the world.”
