What next for Hellen Obiri after winning bronze at Paris Olympic Games?

What next for Hellen Obiri after winning bronze at Paris Olympic Games?

Abigael Wafula 05:20 - 22.08.2024

Hellen Obiri is uncertain about competing at the LA 2028 Olympic Games but her itinerary is still full, starting with her New York Marathon defence in November.

Olympic marathon bronze medallist Hellen Obiri is uncertain about representing Kenya at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as she turns focus to conquering major marathons.

The two-time Boston Marathon champion is set to defend her New York Marathon title on November 3 and does not think she will be representing Team Kenya at the Olympics in four years' time.

“I don’t see myself competing for Kenya in the next Olympics, it is too far. For now, I have to focus on the majors. I will have to take a good recovery because in a marathon you need four months to recover. We will discuss with the coaches and manager to see what’s best for me this season,” Obiri told Capital Sport.

Obiri’s focus now shifts to the World Marathon Majors where she aims to conquer each of them. The 34-year-old has already won the Boston Marathon twice and the New York City Marathon once.

The two-time world 5000m silver medallist won the Boston Marathon in 2023 and extended her hot streak to the 2024 edition. The former world 10,000m silver medallist made her debut at the 2022 New York City Marathon before winning the 2023 edition and now wants a second bite of the cherry.

“There’s no place like New York, and I am so ready to defend my title,” said Obiri, as quoted by World Athletics. “I have been racing very well on the roads in the US, and I hope I can have another good day that sees me in contention once we enter the final stages in Central Park.”

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Obiri finished third behind Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa at the Paris Olympics.

“This is amazing for me because after Boston, I had a bad injury, which stopped me from training for a while. Actually, I only had six weeks for training. Winning a bronze medal here at the Olympics is like a gold medal to me and I am so proud for what I have done today,” she added in her interview with Capital.