This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Abroad from the KU Center for East Asian Studies and Kansas African Studies.

Despite fears of Zika and contaminated water, athletes the world over are preparing for the upcoming summer Olympics in Rio. And here in East Africa, a region known for producing elite distance runners, one Kenyan athlete in particular is making the news. His name is Wesley Korir and what makes this marathoner stand out is this: Not only does he hold the title of Winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon, he also holds a seat in the Kenyan parliament. This makes him the first Member of Parliament – not just from Kenya, but from anywhere – to run in any Olympics. MP Korir and his teammates are training hard to win back the gold for Kenya after a Ugandan victory in the last Olympics. This political-athletic fusion gives the phrase “running for Parliament” an entirely new twist.

With thanks to Mackenzie Jones for this text, from the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.