The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Obiri banks on her form to clinch 1,500m gold at Olympic Games

Sports

By By Rebecca Gichana | Jul 18, 2012

World Indoor championship 3,000m champion Helen Obiri has exuded confidence she will prevail over the 1,500m distance at the London Olympic games.

Obiri, who came to the limelight when she won her gold in Istanbul early this year, is busy preparing for the games knowing that the onus rests on her to fill the huge boots left by her mentor and army comrade Nancy Jebet Lagat.

Speaking at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Obiri said she is focused on retaining the country gold medal in the four lap race when the athletics programme starts at the Olympics on August 3.

“My preparation for Olympics is going on well and I am hoping to be in the finals and win a medal. This is my first time to take part in the Olympics and I cannot say that I will run in a different way than what I’m used to. I will run it just like any other competition,” said Obiri.

The Kenya champion added; “Kenya has a good squad comprising of myself, this year’s world junior gold medallist Faith Chepng’etich and Eunice Sum. We will take every race at a time and hope that all will prevail.

Keep Reading

“If we manage to be in the finals I’m sure each one of us will come home with a medal. I am going to London with one aim, to win a medal. This season, I’m in great form and believe to do better.”

Obiri admits there will be stiff competition from the Ethiopians and Morocco athletes, but she has vowed to work extra hard to finish in the podium because Olympics comes once after every four years.

“This is a great chance and since I performed well in the national trials, I will run my own race without fearing anybody. I have never raced with the Russians but hope they won’t be a big threat to me. Chepng’etich is an experienced athlete and I hope that we make our country proud on the podium,” added Obiri.

Obiri clocked 4:06:10 during the Kenya Olympic trials at Nyayo National Stadium to grab the first automatic ticket to London.

She made a debut at the global stage in Daegu World Championships in South Korea and managed to reach the finals. But she was tripped on the final lap and ended up finishing last. She has since wiped that blip performance off her face, immersed herself in training and emerged with a greatly enhanced reputation to lead Kenya’s scour of the medals at the Olympics in the four-lap race.

London will be the ultimate stage to prove to the world she is not among the many minnows on to the world stage trying to punch above their weights.