World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and bronze medallist Faith Cherotich have agreed to adopt a specific strategy in order to end Kenya’s Olympic steeplechase drought.
World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and bronze medalist Faith Cherotich believe teamwork will be the only way for Kenya to claim a first Olympics gold medal over the distance.
Chepkoech displayed part of what Team Kenya intends to work on during the Olympics trials on Friday when she slowed her race down to move alongside world bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, the latter winning the race in 9:22.28, as she came home second in 9:22.76.
Jackline Chepkoech completed the podium in 9:34.86 and she will be hoping to be the third runner selected into the team.
15:30 - 14.06.2024
Emmanuel Wanyonyi to execute different strategy for 800m final after being handed bye at Olympic trials
World 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi has received a major relief after being reinstated to Saturday’s 800m final, having missed out due to an unfortunate fall in the semi-final.
Having seen Ugandan Peruth Jemutai deny them gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi did the same at last year’s World Championships, Chepkoech knows the battle at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be tough but believes it can be won by a team strategy.
“It was like training [on Friday] because I was sure the three of us would get on the podium. We are one team and we did not want one of us to remain behind,” Chepkoech said after her race.
“I saw the athletes we had are upcoming and the three of us did not want any to remain behind. We wanted to pull everyone forward. When we go to camp, we will work together to see how we will run at the Olympics,” added the 32-year-old, who believes 2024 is Kenya’s year.
13:45 - 14.06.2024
Ferdinand Omanyala reveals his main time target before Olympics after strolling to 100m final at trials
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has explained the time targets he is looking at before heading to the Paris Olympics.
Chepkoech, who won gold at the 2019 World Championships before claiming silver last year, will be heading to her third Olympics, hoping for better tidings this time round, after fourth place in Rio 2016 and seventh in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, it will be the first Olympics for 19-year-old Faith Cherotich.