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Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |
Kenya’s former world 5000m and 10000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will attempt another Olympic double at Rio in her final fling before retiring from the track.
The 32-year old won both her specialities at the Kenyan Olympic trials in Eldoret, and said she was keen to make up for her failure to win in London four years.
“My form is slowly picking up very well and I am feeling better than last year,” Cheruiyot told AFP.
“I am seeing something which is going to be good in my life because I am going to both the 5000m/10000m in Rio.”
Cheruiyot won a 5000m silver and a 10000m bronze in 2012, and she will once again have to contend with the challenge of the returning Ethiopian three-time Olympic 10000m champion, Tirunesh Dibaba and her newcomer compatriot, Almaz Ayana in Rio.
But the Kenyan said she will not be thinking about the Ethiopians when she lines for the 10000m on August 12 and the 5000m a week later.
“I am not going to Rio because of Tirunesh Dibaba or Ayana. I am going there as Vivian and a proud Kenyan to run for my country.”
Cheruiyot, who plans to move to the marathon after her track retirement will not be the only Kenyan to attempt a double at the Rio games.
The 800m world indoor bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera Wambui is expected contest both the 400m and 800m after she was selected for both events.
The Kenya team will hold a five-week high altitude residential training at the Kip Keino training centre in Eldoret before their departure for Rio de janeiro.
