Jelimo ready to retain her 800m title

By GILBERT WANDERA

Olympics 800m champion Pamela Jelimo wrapped up her training on Sunday just hours before jetting out to London ready to successfully defend her title.

Jelimo was at Ngong Hills where she has been training for the last seven months under near freezing conditions.

“I have been climbing the mountain daily to build on my endurance under severe weather conditions of up to 14 degrees so that I will be able to survive in London,” said Jelimo after a lunch treat by rally driver Phineas Kimathi at Valencia restaurant at Anniversary Towers.

She added: “I have conditioned myself at an altitude of 3000m above sea level.  London will be tough for everybody but I don’t fear anybody. I have worked on my speed and endurance.”

Jelimo thanked Kimanthi for the lunch treat also attended by Isaiah Kiplangat and Antony Chemut.

“It has helped me unwind but today I must continue with my training until a few hours before departing for London,” said the world indoors champion who has rediscovered her winning ways this season after three frustrating years due to injury.

Kiplangat, who is gunning for Kenya’s first gold medal in 5000m in 24 years said the athlete to watch will be Mo Farah of Britain who is fired up but under extreme pressure to deliver since he will be running on home soil. 

Wise move

Chemut who links up with world champion and record holder David Rudisha said he had benefitted a lot from training partner Timothy Kitum.

 “We are going to run as a team although the weather is an issue in London,” said the 18 year-old, one of the youngest members of the athletics team in London.

Bernard Korir who manages the athletes said he has been following the training schedule of his charges was confident they will do well in London.

He added that Athletics Kenya and National Olympic Committee-Kenya made a wise decision in letting the athletes train at home.

“For sure Kenya will win medals and the team is under pressure to match the results of Daegu world championships,” he said.