Michael Kibet has put aside troubles that befell him last month when he failed to represent the country at 2019 IAAF world championships in Doha, Qatar as he set focus for 2020 Olympic Games and Africa cross country championships.
The 2019 Ndalat Gaa cross country winner, finished second in 5,000m behind Daniel Simiyu at the national athletics trials that were used to select Kenya team for Doha. The duo did not travel with the team because of anti-doping regulations that require a three out of competition and in competitions tests before running for the country.
But according to the national cross country junior champion, said the mess is behind him and ready for a bigger challenge ahead.
“For now my focus is to run good races locally as I look forward to run for Kenya in two important races next year, starting from Africa Cross country and Olympic Games,” said the 2018 Tuskys cross country junior champion.
The national cross country junior champion said after finishing 5th at the 29th edition of The University of Eldoret cross country championships over the weekend added that what happened was not good for a runner but as an athlete, it did not stop his ambitions even affecting him psychologically.
“Once I heard of the scenes that characterized the whole saga, I kept quiet, relaxed and waited for the outcome, which did not favour me. Due to that, first I had to accept the outcome hence failing to affect my career,” said the Polio Della Quercia 5,000m champion.
He added that he wants to compete in various Diamond League series as a build-up for the two important races in the calendar after he competed in Rabat and paced at Ostrava One Mile.
“I have had good results on track and Cross country. With such results, I have had good running consistency and I can’t deny the fact that it is very competitive<’ added the 2019 Discovery cross country junior winner.
Apart from the cross country and track, he also won the Tegal Loroupe Peace Race in West Pokot County.
Additional Information The Stars Newspaper