By GILBERT WANDERA
World Junior 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich says the performance in Barcelona is in her past now as she cast her focus on a podium finish in her debut show at the London Olympic games.
Chepng’etich, who is also the World Youth Champion in the four lap race, said her performance during the just concluded World Junior championships in Barcelona has instilled in her the conviction that she could go for higher goals starting with the Olympics. Chepng’etich, however, believes she has what it takes to be among the top three in the women 1,500m event.
“My performance in Barcelona was quite inspiring and it puts me in the right frame of mind to dream of emulating the same in London. My training has been great and I believe it can happen,” she said yesterday.
She is among three junior athletes who have joined the national team camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani for training. Others being World Junior 800m bronze medallist Timothy Kitum and 400m hurdler Alphas Kishoyian.
Chepng’etich said the Kenyan team looks strong and predicted that they will do well when the athletics program starts early next month.
Chepng’etich’s compatriots in the Kenyan team are Helen Obiri, the World Indoor 3,000m champion and Eunice Sum who is Africa 800m silver medallist. Though Chepng’etich will be running alongside such established athletes, she says it does not intimidate her.
Launch pad
“Barcelona was a good opportunity to prepare for London where I will face stiff competition from the seasoned athletes. But I want them to know I am not afraid of anybody and I will give my best to win a medal for Kenya,” she said.
Chepng’etich, also holds both Africa and World cross country titles in the 6km junior women event.
A form one student in Kericho, Chepng’etich occasionally competes in the 800m race to gauge her speed. She said team work will be crucial in helping the team win medals in London.
“Training together as a team is very important for us. It is the best option to win medals in London. We have to work very hard because it will not be easy,” she said.
