Jelimo set for her maiden race in England

• History-making gold medallist sets new targets after great debut year

Olympic 800 metres gold medallist, Pamela Jelimo, will make her first appearance in the United Kingdom at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham in February.

The 19-year-old, who only began running the 800m in April this year, has had a dazzling debut year and is looking ahead to a new challenge in the UK where she will run in the Mile at the National Indoor Arena, set to be one of the highlights of the indoor season.

Already making her name as one of the most exciting young international talents, Jelimo, who has never raced farther than 800m, is excited about making her debut UK appearance.

“I’ve had a great year, I’m so very happy.

“I can’t describe how life-changing this year has been for me.

“To achieve so much in such a short time has surprised me. I would never have thought I would be in such a position at this point in my career.

“To have the opportunity to run in the UK is amazing. I’ve never run indoors before so it’s good to set myself a new challenge.

“I think it will be great preparation for hopefully another successful year.”

Being the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold and the golden league jackpot, Jelimo has become a superstar at her Koro village in the Rift Valley.

Local newspapers now track her every move and the government have erected a giant billboard in her honour.

Jelimo, who was also crowned ‘Revelation of the Year’ at the IAAF World Athletics Gala will be running the mile at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on Saturday February 21.

She will then head to Prague for her second indoor meet at the Czech capital city planned for February 26.

“I will train even harder than now and I think I can do it, but as I never run indoors so far, I cannot say for sure,” confirmed Jelimo. “But it is always good to break the preparation with some competitions.”

During the World Athletics Gala in Monaco, Jelimo met for the first with Kratochvilova, the Czech holder of the oldest current World record, the women’s 800m.

“She is a nice person, a good lady, she gave me some advice especially that I need to improve my speed endurance. Look at her bests at 100, 200 and 400m, she was lot faster than me,” said Jelimo.