Newly crowned World Women only marathon record holder Peres Jepchirchir has set her eyes on defending her marathon title after she was named in the Olympic Games marathon team set for August in Paris, France.
After winning the London marathon with a women’s world marathon on Sunday April 21st, Jepchirchir said that she has no time to celebrate the world record because of what awaits her in Paris.
On Wednesday, Athletics Kenya named the final marathon team with Jepchirchir being handed an opportunity to defend her title she won in Tokyo, Japan in 2021.
“I am not celebrating and I have no time to celebrate for the London marathon and world record but the big giant is ahead of us in Paris. Now, it is aiming for the Olympic Games and we have to work towards that,” said Jepchirchir.
Jepchirchir was named in the women’s team alongside Boston marathon champion Hellen Obiri, and Olympic marathon silver medalist Brigid Kosgei with former New York City marathon champion Sharon Lokedi as reserve athlete.
She said that making it to the team was not easy and promised to do her best but focus on prayers and hopes to run well.
“We are going to run for Kenyans, not for us. We are going to do our best and we promise our fans and Kenyans that we are going to bring glory to our nation. I was inspired to break the Women’s only marathon but heading for the Olympics, it is a different ball game and I am not going there alone. We have a strong team. I know it will not be easy but my prayer and hope is that God will work for us,” added the former New York City marathon champion.
Double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, who will be going for the hattrick on the French City, said that the three remaining months, with 86 days to go, they are going to train well to put the country at the global stage and come up with good results.
“The feeling good now that I am showing the next generation on what to do that running is a profession, running is not just coming for two to three years and going away. Longevity is what we need. I have to tell all the sportsmen and women that sports is a profession not taking or writing that someone has been there for long or for a short time,” said Kipchoge.
As one of the oldest athletes in the contingent, Kipchoge said that there are the advantages and disadvantages of being there for long.
“If you are patriotic, feed the country and us with the right mind. I am happy that I am in the third Olympic marathon team consecutively,” said Kipchoge, who first represented the country in the 2004 Olympic Games on track with over 20 years representing the nation at the global stage.
“Twenty years is not easy but this is all about what I need in life and I tell everybody that sports is not all about getting the money and returning but building a career with a good life. If all of us can do that then we shall bring sports to a top level. At the same time, longevity brings a lot of good things and opportunities in life,” he said.
He will be running alongside Tokyo marathon champion Benson Kipruto, newly crowned London marathon champion Alexander Mutiso Munyau with Timothy Kiplagat as reserve