World 800m bronze medalist Ferguson Rotich, African silver medalist Emmanuel Korir and Michael Saruni say they will not be overawed by the opportunity to compete in the men's 800m at the Tokyo Olympics.
The heats for the two-lap race begin on Saturday evening in what is one of the most open races following the absence of two big stars.
Defending champion and world record holder David Rudisha will not be in Tokyo to defend the title he first won at the London Olympics in 2012 whereas world champion Donovan Brazier of USA will be watching from his couch after a surprise last-place finish at the US national trials.
Rotich, who clinched silver in the 2x2x400m at May's World Relay Championships in Silesia, Poland, is counting on his experience and hard work in training in his quest for an Olympic gold.
"As an experienced runner in this race, I am not in any panic mood but so relaxed ahead of my event. I have had good training and preparations for this show. I will be competing with my rivals that we have been competing at Diamond League," Rotich said.
The Kericho-based runner, who finished fifth at the Rio Olympics in 2016, said everything has fallen in place perfectly for him.
"The weather is good and I cannot predict what will happen tomorrow but my prayer is to start the heat first and see how things turn out,” he said.
Botswana's Nijel Amos will be keen to spoil the party for the Kenyans and carry on the blistering form he exhibited at the Monaco Diamond League earlier this month when he clocked a world lead of 1:42.91.
Others who may give the trio a headache include Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy of USA, former world champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse of France and European indoor champion Patryk Dobek who ran an outdoor personal best of 1:43.73.
Despite the magnitude of the Olympics, Korir's plan is to take it as any other competition and carry on with what he has been doing.
"This is the Olympics no doubt and you never know what might happen. There might be a new world record or a personal best. But there is no pressure... I mean, it is a competition like any other and my desire is to win the gold medal," Korir, who boasts a personal best of 1:43.04, said.
Similarly, Saruni believes his underdog tag will work to his advantage.
"No one expected me to make it to the Olympics. At the trials, I was competing against people with world leads and so I am not under any pressure," said the US-based runner.
