by Ben Ayuko
contact info: benayuko@gmail.com
{images by Reuters}
Kenya’s runners in the 1500m event enjoyed a smooth transition from the heats into the finals at the Paris Olympica,2024.
The three men, Reynold Cheruiyot, Timothy Cheruiyot and Brian Komen will be looking to reclaim the Gold Medal for their nation. Not since Asbel Kiprop in 2008 has there been a Kenyan athlete on the top step of the podium in the 1500m event. There is a dire need to rectify this error.
And they feel it too.
Asked about his ambitions going into the tournament, Reynold had this to say, “I believe we can win the gold medal. You see Timothy (Cheruiyot) is back, so we will be working together to ensure that one of us wins the title. What we will need is to work as a team.”
Having won the 1500m event during the Olympic trials in Kenya, he is ready to throw his hat in the ring, looking to be the man who ends the drought for Team Kenya.
This will be the 20-yr-old’s Olympic debut after placing 8th in the World Championships in Budapest, 2023. He is clearly pumped up and excited for the games as he lines up alongside his hero, Timothy Cheruiyot, to take on the best in the world.
Brian Komen, another top athlete, is looking ready to take on the final after breezing through his heat and coming through in 2nd place. The 2024 African Championships Gold Medalist is in fine form and will be raring to go in the final, especially considering how close he was to missing the plane to Paris entirely.
After beating compatriot, Timothy Cheruiyot, the Diamond League in May, he will be feeling very confident about his chances at taking Gold come the hour.
Timothy Cheruiyot, perhaps the favourite among the 3, will be looking to get a certain monkey that has been living on his back for the longest time.
Although he did claim the Gold at the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, it is the Olympic Podium that he wants to get a taste of. Having missed out in 2016 after failing to qualify during the trials, he improved his technique and just about found himself on the plane to Tokyo at the very last minute. This did not seem to deter him, though, as he managed an admirable 2ndplace finish. However, the Silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, proved insufficient to satiate his thirst. It is the Olympic Gold that he really wants to wear around his neck.
“My dream is to get back to the top of the podium, ” Timothy said. “That silver in Tokyo was great, but I want to upgrade it. I need to have the gold.”
It will not be smooth sailing though, as they will have to stave off competition from the Norwegian, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the current Olympic Champion and holder of the Olympic Record-time in the event.
Englishman, Josh Kerr, will no doubt have thrown his hat in the ring, having had to settle for the Bronze medal in Tokyo 2020.