NAIROBI (KENYA) – Kenya’s 1,500 metres world champion Timothy Cheruiyot hopes to return to the track next months after a gap caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Cheruiyot, who won the Diamond League thrice, is aiming to appear for the Aug. 14 Monaco race of the same series. Before the year ends, he plans to run in three more reaces.
“My focus is to be there, to compete to run at least my personal best,” he said.
The spread of coronavirus upset Cheruiyot’s 2020 plans, including preparing for the Tokyo Games.
The champion runner and his teammates were forced to disrupt their camp at Rongai Athletics Club on the outskirts of Nairobi for three months. However, they have resumed training, said his coach Bernard Ouma.
“We are… trying to see if any of the provisionally provided Diamond League races will take place,” Ouma said.
The coach said there are five such races which are highly unlikely to take place because of the virus outbreak. “The year 2020 is more of survival,” he added.
Cheruiyot, who had been under treatment for an injury in February, said the pause has allowed him to recuperate.
“I miss racing, always connecting with friends abroad, running together, having fun outside,” he said.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field