Chebet going for glory in Paris

From Left: Kenya's 800m team to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Lilian Odira, Mary Moraa and Vivian Chebet during a training session at Nyayo Stadium, on Thursday. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

They say one man's poison is another man's meat. This has been the case involving Africa champion Sarah Moraa and African Games bronze medallist Vivian Chebet. Both athletes ply trade in 800m.

After finishing fifth at Kenya's national trials for Paris 2024 Olympics held in Nairobi last month, many thought Chebet's hopes of qualifying for the Summer Games were over, but the Kenya Defence Forces officer was not done yet.

She was just laying stealthily in wait, with another card under the table- the world rankings- as her final bullet.

But her remaining weapon would only work if promising athletes like Sarah, who had just finished the trials third, failed to secure Olympic slots, making her chances for Paris as remote as extracting water from a dry wall.

Chebet held her breath as Sarah and other athletes boarded the plane to Douala, Cameroon to seek Olympics qualification at the Senior Africa Athletics Championships.

Sarah won gold in Douala, but this was not enough as the latter did not attain the qualifying times for Olympics. Furthermore, results from Cameroon are still yet to be recognized by World Athletics as the championships had a lot of ups and downs.

Fast forward, Chebet is now the latest inclusion in Team Kenya for the Paris Olympics. She was excited to get the magic call from Athletics Kenya inviting her to join the residential training.

"I couldn't believe it, this is a once in a lifetime chance, I can't wait for my first Olympics,” she said at her residential training at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.

"I'm very happy, you know I had given up on Paris when I finished fifth in the trials, I’m grateful for another chance in life. This is my redemption," the 28-year-old told Standard Sports.

The good thing is that Chebet has already gelled well with Sarah's cousin Mary and Lilian Odira who will also grace the women's 800m showpiece in Paris.

"After the trials, I continued with my normal training in Ngong where the likes of Cornelius Tuwei, Laban Chepkwony and Benjamin Kigen, who have been my training partners, have sharpened me. This has helped me to fit in easily in the camp," said Chebet.

Training alongside World champion Mary and Africa silver medallist Odira at Nyayo has boosted Chebet's morale ahead of Paris. The trio are sharpening each other with skills and techniques which will be beneficial in France.

Chebet has promised to do her best in Paris; her target is to make it to the finals and also lower her 1:58.26 Personal Best. Currently at Nyayo, she is working on her reactions and finishing power.

"If you have a good finishing kick, that's a great advantage especially in those almost head-to-head finishes. So, I want my starting to be strong and finishing to be meteoric," said Chebet.

"We (together with Mary and Odira) are also analysing other tactics for the championships because the Olympics is not like your other ordinary race. We are plotting on how to storm the semis and the finals and to eventually bring the medals back home. We want to emulate what Pamela Jelimo did in Beijing in 2008."

Does she have any races before the Olympics?

"No. I'm only focusing on Paris now, I don't want to get tired along the way," Chebet stated.

While commenting on the absence of defending champion Athing Mu of USA, Chebet said: "This gives Kenya a great advantage, but we can't rule out other participants. The moment athletes line up on track everyone is a winner."

Double Olympic champion and 1500m record holder Faith Kipyegon remains Chebet's greatest role model in her career.

"I just want to be like Faith, I love the way she runs, her steps are very strong," she stated.

Chebet was inspired into athletics by her friends while still in primary school. To her, this is one of the best decisions she has ever made in her life.