Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has  announced that Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya’s sprint champion and Africa’s fastest man, has joined Team Visa, a diverse and impressive roster of athletes from around the globe who are preparing to compete at The Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Omanyala is the first Kenyan athlete to join Team Visa, which aims to provide athletes with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive personally and professionally.

Omanyala is an inspiration to athletics fans in Kenya and across the continent, as he has overcome many challenges and obstacles to achieve his dreams. He started his career in tennis at a young age, but switched to sprinting after discovering his talent for running fast. He became the first Kenyan sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in August 2021, before setting a new African record of 9.77 seconds in September. He officially became the African champion in June 2022, before winning Kenya’s first 100m gold at the Commonwealth Games in August, the country’s first in 60 years.

Omanyala is also a role model for other young people, as he uses his voice and platform to advocate for social issues that matter to him. He is passionate about empowering the youth, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue their dreams and aspirations. He is also vocal about fighting  corruption in sports, as well as promoting gender equality and inclusion.

By joining Team Visa, Omanyala will benefit from Visa’s longstanding commitment to connecting the world through sport. Since 2000, the Team Visa athlete program has championed more than 600 Olympic and Paralympic athletes selected based on their athletic achievements, community involvement, and alignment with Visa’s core values of equality, access, and inclusion.

“I am honored and excited to join Team Visa with so many incredible athletes who share the same vision and values as me,” said Omanyala. “Visa has been a great supporter of sports and athletes around the world, and I look forward to working with them to achieve my goals on and off the track. I hope to inspire more people to follow their dreams and never give up.”

Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Ag. General Manager for East Africa at Visa, said: “We are proud to welcome Omanyala to Team Visa and champion all that he stands for. He is an example of what hard work and dedication can do to achieve your dreams, while inspiring the next generation. He is also a powerful voice for social change and empowerment in Africa. We look forward to supporting him on his journey to Paris 2024 and beyond.”

Team Visa is an amplification of Visa’s brand messaging throughout global markets; it delivers powerful assets for its marketing, clients and employees, as well as providing relevant and emotional connections through inspiring stories between consumers, Visa and its products?. Team Visa can also benefit Visa’s clients and partners in various ways, such as providing access to exclusive events, content and experiences featuring Team Visa athletes.