Paris 2024: Serem ready for battle to reclaim steeplechase crown in France

Former World Under 20-300m steeplechase champion Amos Seren (centre), his brother Edmund (in red) and another athlete train at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County. July 30, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

One of the toughest assignments for the Kenyan squad at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics is reclaiming the country’s 3,000m steeplechase glory.

Amos Serem, a fast-rising star is leading the Kenyan charge in the battle that will involve taking on the world’s most accomplished 3,000m steeplechase men.

At 21 years of age, Serem - a former World Under-20 champion will be on a mission to re-write the country’s history in the 3,000m steeplechase, especially in the men’s category.

His father Joseph Serem, a Catholic Church catechist, will perhaps be going down in prayers as his son faces one of the toughest challenges this year.

Kenyan men have lost the 3,000m steeplechase grip in recent international championships, and the Paris Olympics has given the country’s water and barrier racers an opportunity to prove a point.

Serem, like compatriots Simon Kiprop who bagged the bronze medal when he (Serem) clinched the World Under-20 title in Nairobi in 2021 as well as former World Under-20 silver medallist Leonard Bett and Commonwealth champion Abraham Kibiwot, is carrying on his shoulders the heavy weight of bringing home a medal in the distance.

The African Games silver medallist is transitioning to the senior ranks, with a historic participation in the Olympic Games.

He says he is confident of performing well at the Paris Olympic Games.

His campaign to reclaim the 3,000m steeplechase lost glory kicks off on Monday August 5 during the event’s heats.

Before departing for Paris, Serem told Standard Sports that he was confident after completing what he described as a well designed training programme in Eldoret.

Serem, who was motivated by two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi’s exploits in the steeplechase powered to an impressive win, stunning a rich field at the national trials staged at the Nyayo National Stadium in June.

“Since the national trials in Nairobi, I have been working on my speed because that was my biggest challenge before the selection,” Serem said.

The steeplechaser went on to say: “I tested my finishing power at the national trials and I discovered that I was improving and embarked on a plan to better my momentum in readiness for the Olympics.”

Serem said he responded well to the rigorous training and was physically and mentally ready for the Olympic showdown.

“As a team we tested our bodies’ reaction to pressure and I am confident we are going to run a good race because we responded well in readiness for the expected tough 3,000m steeplechase challenge in Paris,” said Serem.

He said nothing made his Paris Olympics preparations more enjoyable than Edmund Serem who will be flying the country’s flag at the 2024 World Under-20 championships scheduled to run from August 27  to 31 in Lima, Peru.

Serem said he also trained alongside a strong and experienced team of Olympic-bound athletes comprising 5,000m stars such as Nicholas Kimeli and Jacob Krop.

“I trained with my brother Edmund who is preparing for the World Under-20 championships.  I felt good because we helped each other as we prepared for the biggest competitions in the world this year.

“The 5,000m and 10,000m teams helped me to build my endurance. I had the opportunity to train with experienced athletes,” Serem said after his final training in Kenya.