Mary Moraa has shared what she will be aiming at next following her third place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Reigning 800m world champion Mary Moraa has returned to Kenya with a sense of pride and accomplishment after securing a bronze medal in the 800m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Moraa, who clocked 1:57.42, finished behind Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, who took gold with in time of 1:56.72, and Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma, who claimed silver with a personal best of 1:57.15.
Moraa’s bronze medal marks a significant improvement from her performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she was unable to advance past the semi-finals.
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Reflecting on her journey, Moraa expressed satisfaction with her performance in Paris, even though she had set her sights on winning gold.
“It had been a long time since Tokyo 2020. I had been training hard to achieve my target in Paris, which was to win a medal. Of course, I wanted the gold, but I cannot complain. I will go back to the drawing board, and something good will happen,” Moraa said.
Moraa had been aiming to become the first Kenyan to win the Olympic title in the 800m since Pamela Jelimo’s victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Despite not achieving her ultimate goal, she remains optimistic about her future prospects.
Moraa also credited her coach, Alex Sang, for his pivotal role in her development from a 400m runner to a world-class 800m specialist. She described Sang as a father figure, emphasizing the importance of their close working relationship.
“We have been working together as a team. He has treated me more like a father, let alone a coach.
“We worked for a long time aiming for a medal because last time, we missed the final. He wanted me to get to the podium, and I wanted more, but we still got his target. It has worked, but the work starts now,” Moraa added.
Moraa’s journey from Tokyo 2020 to the Paris 2024 Olympics showcases her resilience and determination. As she looks ahead to future competitions, she remains focused on her quest for continued success on the global stage.
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Paris Olympics 2024: Mary Moraa settles for Bronze in women's 800m final as Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson reigns supreme
Mary Moraa was forced to seal the podium in the tight women's 800m final, finishing third behind Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson and Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma.