Cheruiyot to shift to marathon after 2017 World Championships

The new Olympics 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot is already planning for her second Olympic victory but in marathon come the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.

However, Cheruiyot, who won the 10,000m silver medal at the Rio Olympics in a National Record time of 29 minutes and 32.53 second, said she is looking forward to defending her World 10,000m title in London next year first before scaling to marathon.

Cheruiyot, 32, was speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday night upon arrival from Rio, Brazil where she made history as the first Kenyan woman to win the 5,000m Olympic title in an Olympic Record time of 14:26.17 on Saturday.

It was joy for Cheruiyot as she got warm reception from her husband and coach Moses Kiplagat and her son Allan, who is turning three years in September, this year. Also at the airport were friends and relatives.

After losing the 10,000m battle to Ethiopian Alamaz Ayana who set a new World Record of 29:17.45 on the opening day of August 12, Cheruiyot would exert sweet revenge in 5,000m final against the Ethiopian World 5,000m champion. Another Kenyan Hellen Obiri settled for silver in 14:29.77 as Ayana dipped for bronze in 14:33.59.

“I know I will adjust comfortably to marathon as I want to give the rest a chance at the two races,” said Cheruiyot, who warned that it will be difficult to fill the void she will have left.

(READ: Cheruiyot wins gold in 5000m, Obiri takes silver)

“The current athletes will have to dig deep…I want to appeal to coaches and athletics Kenya to seriously focus on how they will recruit and nurture new talent in the two races,” said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot said the performance in Rio meant a lot to her, especially after competing in three previous Olympics without success.

LAST TRACK APPEARANCE

“Rio was my fourth and perhaps my last track appearance hence the 5,000m victory is just precious to me. I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I finally crossed the finishing line triumphant,” said Cheruiyot adding that her pep talk with Usain Bolt, who had retained his 100m and 200m titles at the warm up area before the 5,000m final did the magic.

The video clip that had Bolt and Cheruiyot great each other before hugging at the warm up area went viral on social media.

“We have been friends since 2004 by virtue of working under same Pace Sports Management. Bolt wished me success saying nothing is impossible and that I could do it…it was a blessing from him, being a good friend,” said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot said she could have won gold had the worked as a team in 10,000m. She praised Hellen Obiri saying the great teamwork delivered a 1-2 feat.

“We tested Ayana in the 5,000m and she looked weak…I told Obiri to focus on doing 68 seconds in one lap in case Ayana did 66 seconds and it worked,” said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot had won silver in 5,000m and bronze in 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics. She made her debut at the Olympics at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games where she finished 14th in 5,000m.

She would scale to fifth place in 5,000m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before doubling at 2012 London Olympics where she claimed her first medals.

Cheruiyot dedicated her performance to her husband, son and Kenyans.

“My husband has been patient with me for long in my ups and downs,” said Cheruiyot. “I just want to thank Kenyans for their moral support and God for his blessings.”