NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 18 – World 10,000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri says the next step in her career is to win a marathon gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The two-time world 5000m champion last year announced her transition to the road races after a medal-laden career in the track and field during which she has also twice clinched silver at 2016 and 2020 Olympics in Rio and Tokyo respectively.
“The youth are the future of tomorrow…the next 5000m world champion is here. I have a dream to get gold at the Olympics, even more so now that I have moved to the marathon. I have not given up, I am still pursuing it. I can imagine how much more a young athlete can achieve,” Obiri said.
The 33-year-old made her debut in the marathon at New York in November last year during which she timed 2:25:49 to finish sixth.
She is optimistic that she will post better results as she continues in her newfound passion in the women’s marathon.
Obiri was speaking Wednesday during the conclusion of a one-and-a-half week elite youth camp organised by the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) at Merishaw School in Isinya, Kajiado.
The camp, in its third edition, brought together different young athletes from different disciplines who were fed with crucial tips on how to grow themselves as sportspersons and reap from the brow of their sweat.
Also in attendance was Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala who spoke of his dream of winning an Olympics gold despite the presence of big names such as world champion Fred Kerley and Olympic champion Lamont Jacobs.
The fastest man in Africa encouraged the youngsters to maintain a laser focus on their dreams and not listen to naysayers.
“Every one discouraged me from running short races. In fact, most of my friends wanted me to stay in rugby but this (sprints) is a dream I had and I am still dreaming of an Olympic medal just like you all are,” Omanyala, who timed an African record of 9.77 in 2021, said.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, NOCK’s 1st deputy president Shadrack Maluki said more camps such as this one will be organised with an eye on the long-term future of Kenya’s sporting gems.
“This is the first Youth Camp this year, with one set to happen in April, August and December. We believe the youth team will perform exemplary in the Games ahead. This is a long term. transformational agenda, initiated programs aimed at enhancing our country’s performances during various international multi-sport events,” Maluki said.
Also present were Deputy Treasurer John Ogolla and executive member Winnie Kamau.
