Age is just a number: 43-year-old man qualifies for Olympics for fifth time

Abdi Abdirahman celebrates with United States flag after placing third in the men's race in 2:10:03 to qualify for his fifth Olympic team during the US Olympic Team Trials marathon [COURTESY]

Imagine representing your country in the Olympics. Cool right?

Now imagine representing your country in the Olympics for the fifth time at the age of 43.

One Abdi Abdirahman on Saturday, February 29 defied all odds to secure a spot on the United States of America marathon squad after finishing in third place in the U.S. Olympic marathon trials.

Abdirahman crossed the finish line in an impressive 2:10:03, making history as the oldest man ever to qualify for the Olympics for the USA.

“I never count myself out. Everything worked the way I wanted...getting third or first, second is the same – we’re all going the same place and we all accomplished the same goals we wanted, “an elated Abdirahman told reporters.

Abdirahman first represented Team USA at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where he finished 10th in the 10,000 metres.

Abdirahman crossed the finish line in an impressive 2:10:03, making history as the oldest man ever to qualify for the Olympics for the USA [COURTESY]

He also participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens where he finished in 16^th place.

Abdirahman finished seventh in the 2002 World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

“After 20 years of running, I remember making my first Olympic team. I think it will be my last Olympics but it won’t be my last trials,” he said.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are scheduled to start on Friday, July 24.