2018 World Under-20 champion Celliphine Chespol has blamed the country's latest decline in the 3000m steeplechase on the lack of specialised training equipment and enough support from coaches.
Chespol said in as much as it’s an individual responsibility to make sure they are in good shape ahead of events, the coaches and physiotherapists must their role to ensure athletes train in an effective manner and manage injuries.
“We are always doing our best in training and hoping to win someday. However, the lack of training equipment is what slows us down. I also strongly believe coaches should consider strengthening exercises and also teach us how to manage injuries. They should always be there for us,” Chespol said.
Chespol was forced to settle for 13th place at the World Championships in Oregon due to a knee injury. She said she will be looking to work on her strength to avoid such misfortunes in future races.
“I want to be intentional in working on my strength to make sure I am ready and fit for next year’s assignments. At the moment, I don’t know where I’ll be competing…I want my body to respond well to training first,” she said, adding that she will resume training next month.
She added that she looks up to the 2013 World 3000m SC champion Milcah Chemos, who also introduced her to the specialty. “I started with the high jump but Chemos challenged me to try steeplechase. She inspires me and encourages me a lot,” Chespol said.
The 2018 Commonwealth 3000m SC silver medallist said she hopes to transition to marathon in the future when is done with track.
“The marathon is something I have in mind but definitely for the future. I have to progress gradually before I get there,” she revealed.
Chespol lamented how the doping menace in the country is tarnishing the good name of the country.
She added that the violators are the only ones supposed to be punished for their mistakes and not the whole athletics fraternity.
“I am not happy because they are making the country look bad and they are dragging us into their own mess. Everyone should carry his or her own cross. I believe there is no shortcut to success and every athlete must strive to run clean,” she concluded.
