Vivian Cheruiyot announces return to action with eyes trained on Team Kenya slot to Paris Olympics

ATHLETICS: Vivian Cheruiyot announces return to action with eyes trained on Team Kenya slot to Paris Olympics

Abigael Wafula 10:25 - 09.06.2023

She is also keen on encouraging women in the sport that they can bounce back even after delivery.

Four-time former World Champion Vivian Cheruiyot is now back and eyeing a place in Team Kenya for next year’s Paris Olympics where she intends to compete in the marathon.

Cheruiyot has been out for more than two years due to a maternity break and she now feels ready to fly the country’s flag high.

The former Olympic 5000m champion participated in her first competitive race at the just-concluded National Police Service Championships where she finished an impressive ninth in the 10,000m. She clocked 34:59.34 to cross the finish line.

“This is just the start and be ready to see me more, not on track but road running especially marathons. My focus is making the cut to the national team at the Paris Olympics where I intend to compete in the marathon,” Cheruiyot, 39, said, as quoted by Nation Sport.

She expressed her excitement about finishing among the top 10 and revealed that she had not been training intensively in preparation for the championship.

“The race was okay…I am happy with the time posted because I had not done any speedwork or track sessions,” she said.

Popularly known as Pocket Rocket, the mother of two revealed that she will be looking to compete in one of the Major Marathons either in September or October this year.

The 2018 London Marathon champion revealed that her main goal is to inspire the young generation and show them that anything is possible when they devote themselves. She is also keen on encouraging women in the sport that they can bounce back even after delivery.

“I am back with a mission which is to run well…so as to leave a legacy that will be talked about in many decades to come. I want to do my best and show the young generation that it can be done so long as one is disciplined and focused.

I want to show women that they can have children and return to continue with their careers be it in athletics or any other field, let them not fear. In fact, one becomes stronger than before,” she said.

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