Dj Vnyash
Vivian Chebet believes that starting strong and finishing powerfully will be crucial for her to reach the 800m final at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
“My focus is on improving my reaction time and maintaining strong finishing speed. If I can get these aspects right before the Olympics, I am confident I will qualify for the final,” Chebet emphasized.
Chebet faced a nerve-wracking wait until the June 30 Olympic qualification deadline after finishing fifth in the trials on June 14. She clocked 2:00.44 at Nyayo Stadium, trailing Naomi Korir (1:59.72), Sarah Moraa (1:59.39), Mary Moraa (1:59.35), and Lilian Odira (1:59.27).
Missing out on the top three spots initially jeopardized her Olympic aspirations, as Athletics Kenya (AK) waited for Sarah Moraa to meet the 1:59.30 qualifying mark. When Moraa did not meet the mark, Chebet’s earlier performance at the Kip Keino Classic (1:58.26) secured her a spot in her Olympic debut.
Chebet joins world champion Mary Moraa and Lilian Odira on Kenya’s team for Paris. “Making the team was a dream come true for me. Now, I am focused on rigorous training to make the most of this incredible opportunity,” Chebet expressed.
She is optimistic that strategic adjustments during training at the Nyayo Stadium camp will pave the way for Kenya’s success in the Olympics. “We have been training together for almost two weeks and have worked on tactical improvements to ensure a smooth path to the final,” Chebet noted.
Drawing on her experience from previous championships, particularly the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Chebet believes she can leverage her encounters with elite athletes in Paris. “I have competed against top athletes before, and I believe that experience will be invaluable in Paris,” she stated.
Chebet’s career highlights include winning bronze at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, with a time of 2:00.27, and placing fourth at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, with a time of 2:03.76.
Her training alongside accomplished athletes like Cornelius Tuwei, Benjamin Kigen, and Laban Chepkwony has been instrumental in her development. “Training with Tuwei, Kigen, and Chepkwony has been inspirational. They constantly push me to exceed my limits,” Chebet acknowledged.
