Young Jeruto keen to stick to 200m race despite discouragement

Fast-rising sprinter Joan Jeruto says she will stick with the 200m race despite discouragement from her peers to switch to a middle-distance race.

Speaking in Kapsabet during the Athletics Kenya (AK) junior inter-camps championship at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex, Jeruto said she has been improving by the day and would like to stick to the race going forward.

“I want to be the best in the sprints and being in the camp has been a blessing for me. I know the 200m race is a more technical race than other races, especially the long distance but I am determined to do well,” said Jeruto.

She said her long-term target is to represent the country in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 

“I am committed to the 200mm races and nothing will stop me from achieving my targets. The camp has helped a great deal and I now believe the sky is the limit,” she noted.

A total of 45 national junior team training camps have been going on across the country ahead of the World Under 20 Championships in Lima, Peru and closed down last week ahead of school opening this week.

Former 800m world champion Janeth Jepkosgei said having such camps will ensure Kenyan athletes are at par with the rest of the world by competing in all events.

“This is where talent is tapped and nurtured at a youthful stage because the future of Kenyan athletics prowess lies in youth structures,” said Jepkosgei.

Nandi County chairman Hosea Sanga remained optimistic that such camps will ensure the country revives their lost glory in the 3,000m steeplechase.

“Kenyans have gone down in steeplechase and it is time we revived the old good days when Kenyans were unbeatable in the seven-and-a-half lap race,” said Sanga.

Athletics Kenya (AK) youth Development director Barnaba Korir said the camps are a blessing to the country because they are giving a new dimension to athletics.