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Two techniques Yego is working on in order to put his indifferent form behind him and deliver at the Olympics where it matters most.
Kenya's javelin star Julius Yego is gearing up for an unprecedented fourth appearance at the Olympics in Paris, with aspirations of adding another medal to his illustrious career.
At 35, Yego's track record speaks volumes, featuring a silver medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics, a world title in 2015, Commonwealth Games gold in 2014, and a record five-time Africa championship.
Currently stationed in Miramas, France, for Team Kenya's Pre-Olympics preparations, Yego appreciates the importance of a dedicated boot camp ahead of the games, which officially commence on July 26 in the French capital.
Focused on refining his technique and speed, Yego aims for a throw of 82 meters to secure automatic qualification for the finals.
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12:44 - 16.07.2024
Julius Yego reveals what is bothering him ahead of fourth & final Olympics
The former world javelin champion has expressed his frustrations with a number of things during his Olympics preparations even as he targets a medal in Paris.
“For now, I am working on my throws and speed just to get it right and the distance will automatically come. My target is the qualification to the final,” said the Kapsabet Boys alumni.
“With my age now if I get an Olympic medal, I will be so happy. My ultimate goal is to win gold, that would see me accomplish my achievements in my career.
“I have achieved whatever I wanted as a javelin thrower. I want a continuation of it; I don’t want to stop it; I feel I can still do it,” Yego stated after a morning training session in Miramas on Tuesday.
Expressing his satisfaction with the facilities in Miramas, Yego highlighted their importance for his preparations.
“I love Miramas, it has all the javelin facilities, and that is the most important thing for me. The weather is also good, similar to what we will encounter during the games,” he outlined.
Fondly known as the “YouTube man” for his unique self-taught journey, Yego continues to train alone, a challenge he is accustomed to despite the absence of a coach or training partner.
“I am used to training alone, but it is difficult not having someone to correct me, especially when you are going to a big competition like this,” he noted. A French coach is available in Miramas, but the language barrier poses a challenge, even with the help of a translator.
Qualifying for the Paris Olympics was no easy feat, with Yego admitting he almost lost hope at one point. “It was tough qualifying for the Olympics; I had to wait until the last minute to see if I have qualified through the rankings.
"This was the most difficult season for me. I started well in March, but I sustained an injury at the Kip Keino Classic. Although I managed to overcome the challenge and here I am, qualified for the Olympics,” revealed Yego, who is also part of the National Police Service.
Now fit and focused, Yego is pushing his body to the limit to peak at the right time for the Olympics. “I am fit now. I am trying to push the body to the limit so that I get it right at the Olympics. It is the right time to push now and I am feeling well,” he asserted.
As Yego contemplates the possibility of Paris being his last Olympics, he expresses concern over the lack of a successor in Kenyan javelin.
“If today I decide to quit, we will not have anybody to represent Kenya. I have tried to elevate the game for 16 years now. We have the talent, but the problem is the facilities, and the sport is not cheap; a javelin costs at least [price],” he lamented.
Yego’s journey is a testament to his resilience and dedication, and as he heads to Paris, his goal remains clear: to add another medal to his already glittering career and inspire the next generation of Kenyan javelin throwers.
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