Kenya's Cheruiyot ready to hunt for
glory on the track again
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[July 27, 2020]
By Edwin Waita and Omar Mohammed
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's Timothy
Cheruiyot, the 1,500 metres world champion, is hoping to return to
competitive running next month after a hiatus caused by the
coronavirus crisis.
Cheruiyot, a three-time Diamond League winner, has targeted the Aug.
14 Monaco race of the same series as his return date. He plans to
run in at least three more races before the end of the year.
"My focus is to be there, to compete to run at least my personal
best," he told Reuters.
The coronavirus outbreak, which has infected millions and killed
hundreds of thousands of people around the world, led to the
shutting down or postponement of sporting events, including the
Tokyo Olympic Games, to curb its spread.
It also disrupted Cheruiyot's 2020 plans, which included preparing
for the Olympics in Tokyo.
He and his team mates were forced to interrupt their camp at Rongai
Athletics Club, located on the outskirts of Nairobi, for three
months. They have just resumed training, said Bernard Ouma,
Cheruiyot's coach.
"We are... trying to see if any of the provisionally provided
Diamond League races will take place," Ouma said.
There are five such race events which are uncertain to take place
due to the coronavirus crisis, the coach said, adding that athletes
were trying to adapt.
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Gold medalist Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot on the podium. REUTERS/Ibraheem
Al Omari
"The year 2020 is more of survival," he added.
Yet there is a silver lining in all the gloom: injured athletes have
time to be nursed back to health without the pressure of worrying
that they are missing out.
Cheruiyot, who had been nursing an unspecified injury in February,
said the pause has allowed him to recuperate and get fit. He is
yearning to get back into action.
"I miss racing, always connecting with friends abroad, running
together, having fun outside," he said.
(Writing by Omar Mohammed; Editing by Duncan Miriri and Toby Davis)
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