The 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego says his biggest mission in Ghana is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in August.
“My target is 85m and judging from the look of things, I may get it,” noted Yego, adding that distance is more important than results. The Paris Olympic Games qualifying mark is 85.5m.
However, he is not under too much pressure.
“If I don’t do it here, I still have the Kip Keino Classic on April 20 and Diamond League meetings to achieve my target,” said Yego, who will have Alex Kiprotich for company.
However, the continental Games will be a perfect build-up for upcoming events.
Elsewhere, athletics team head coach Elkana Nyang’au has promised more medals despite their mixed fortunes on the opening day of the athletics programme on Monday at Ghana University.
The hot conditions messed up the 100m squad, who arrived just 24 hours before the opening rounds. “They told me their bodies were not responding,” he revealed.
Edmund Serem and Simon Kiprop opened the athletics programme with silver and bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. Nyang’au expects more.
“There is no cause for panic. It’s just the opening day and I can assure you medals will come,” noted Nyang’au.
The athletes are psyched up, especially the 800m and 400m runners.
“All our 400m and 800m runners, including world 800m champion Mary Moraa (400m) and Alex Ngeno (800m), are progressing well and this gives us a reason to be hopeful,” he added.
"The challenge is the hot conditions. However, it will be hot for everyone and we must keep pushing.”
Nyang’au feels the training period before the Games was insufficient and should plan better next time.
“Two weeks are not enough to train for such events. We must have random training in future, where we pick a provisional team and put them in training before the national trials,” he added.
The steeplechasers need special attention if the country is to revive the good old days.
“I think Ethiopians have studied us well and we need to change our tactics in lengthy, isolated training,” he added.
