Paris Olympics 2024: Julius Yego aims to retire in style at the Olympics

Former world champion Julius Yego is targeting a podium finish in javelin in his fourth unprecedented Olympics in Paris, France.

He says a gold medal in the Summer Games slated for this month will be a perfect retirement package for his glittering career that has spanned over a decade.

The 35-year-old has represented Kenya in all major competitions, winning silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a world title in 2015. Other feathers in his cup include a Commonwealth Games gold in 2014 and two African Games gold medals. He is also a record five-time Africa champion.

“With my age now, if I get an Olympic medal, I will be so happy. My ultimate goal is to win gold that would see me accomplish my achievements in my career. I have achieved whatever I wanted as a javelin throw,” said Yego, who is in Miramas, France, where Team Kenya has pitched camp for the Pre-Olympics preparations.

“But I want a continuation of it, I don’t want to stop it, I feel I can still do it,” Yego said after the morning session in Miramas.

Yego acknowledges the significance of having a boot camp before the games, which officially start on July 26 in the French capital.

“For now, I am working on my throws and speed just to get it right and the distance will automatically come. My target is qualifying to the final, therefore, I am focusing on throwing 82m and getting the automatic qualification,” the Kapsabet Boys alumnus stated.

“I love Miramas, it has all the javelin facilities and that is the most important thing for me. The weather is also good which is similar to what we will encounter during the games,” he outlined.

Yego, fondly known as the “YouTube man” doesn't have the luxury of having a coach nor a training partner, but said there’s nothing to worry about since he is used to it.

“I am used to training alone, but it is difficult not having someone to correct me especially when you are going to a big competition like this. 

There is a French coach who is here but there is a language barrier. We have a translator but it’s always good to have someone who you can speak to me directly, hopefully all will go well and I perform well in Paris,” he underscored.

Qualifying for the Paris Olympics has however not been a smooth ride and at some point Yego disclosed that he lost hope on booking a ticket to Paris.

“It was tough qualifying for the Olympics, I had to wait until the last minute to see if I had qualified through the rankings. It has not been easy, this was the most difficult season for me. I started well in March, but I got injured at the Kip Keino Classic. Although I managed to overcome the challenge I am glad I qualified for the Olympics,” the National Police Service athlete revealed.

He added: “I am fit now, I am trying to push the body to the limit so that I get it right at the Olympics, it is the right time to push now and I am feeling well.”

Yego hinted that Paris might be his last Olympics and was worried that there is no one to take over from him.

“If today I decide to quit, we will not have anybody to represent Kenya. I have tried to elevate the game for 16 years now. We have the talent but the problem is the facilities and the sport is not cheap; a javelin costs at least Sh200,000. So, if we get this right, we will be good to go,” Yego said.

“I feel like I am at the tail end of my career and it’s a shame that it will end with me because there is no one to take it up from me. We have a few who are trying, hopefully they will pick it up from there and they will get the support they require.”

With the last Olympics in Tokyo held under the Covid-19 restrictions, Yego is looking forward to having good times in the village that provides a lifetime opportunity to brush shoulders with the best sports personalities in the world.

“The essence of the Olympics is networking. Tokyo 2020 did not allow us to mingle, exchange culture because of Covid. The Village life is really exciting since it provides a chance to meet the best in different fields. In 2012, I met Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United legend, it is really exciting to be in the village.”