Intercontinental Cup 3000m steeplechase champion Jairus Birech will be seeking to atone to his mistakes at the 2015 World Championships when he competes at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.
Birech finished fourth in Beijing, behind champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto and 2008 Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto. The Commonwealth silver medalist said he will also limit his appearances to just four in the forthcoming IAAF Diamond Series to avoid burn-out ahead of Rio.
“I will start the Diamond League in Doha on May 6 and I will myself to only four races,” said Birech, revealing the others as Rome (June 2), Monaco (July 15) and then the Brussels series-ender after the Olympics (September 9).
“I am getting ready. I want to run faster this year,” added Birech. “I made some small mistakes (at the World Championships) by running in a group with slow pace and that cost me a medal placing.”
“My dream is to get an Olympics medal. Such a medal can change someone’s life completely and comes after four years,” he observed, adding that he had realised his mistakes in Beijing. He, however, admitted that he expects stiff competition especially from his conquerors at the worlds but was quick to add: “I am better prepared this time.”
Last season, Birech participated in six of the seven meeting offering his water and barrier specialty to cruise home to the title—for the second year in a row—with 20 points.
