Emmanuel Wanyonyi has explained why he has yet to set targets ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
World 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi is taking a day at a time in the build-up to the Olympic Games in Paris, France happening later this year.
When asked about his ambitions ahead of the global bonanza, the 19-year-old noted that first, he has to make the cut at the national trials before setting targets. The qualifying time for the men’s 800m race at the Olympic Games is 1:44:70.
As per Olympics.com, the athletes will be able to qualify in two ways for the Paris 2024 Games, with 50% of qualification places based on achieving the entry standard for an event within the qualification period, and the other 50% based on the World Athletics Ranking within the ranking period.
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The qualification and ranking period for all individual events - other than the 10,000m, marathon, combined events and race walks - will be between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
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“For the Olympics maybe, I need to train hard and come back for the trials, and then when I qualify, I will now set targets. However, for now, I just want to train well,” Wanyonyi said after his win at the Kip Keino Classic.
The former World Under-20 800m champion did not rest on his laurels after setting the world leading time as he proceeded to shatter the men’s one-mile world record at the Adizero Road to Records.
Speaking to Nation Sport after the feat, Wanyonyi explained that it was motivation enough for him ahead of his training to qualify for the Olympics. He admitted that there will certainly be tough competition and that’s why he has to work extra hard.
“As you are aware, the Kenyan trials are just like a championship and are very tight, so I have to qualify and be selected to join the national team and then prepare for the real game because it will be my first Olympic Games, and I want to impress,” he said.