Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot wants to bow out on a high by winning gold in the marathon at 2020 Toyko Olympics Marathon

Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya says she may opt for early retirement should she win the gold medal in the marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Cheruiyot, 35, believes she still has over five years to compete at the higher levels, but may consider cutting it back if she claim the gold In the Marathon in Toyko. Cheruiyot said she believes that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will give her a perfect opportunity to bow out in style after a stellar career. "I always wanted the marathon gold and when I gained it in 2016, I said I had all the medals in my collections. But I want to bow out on a high and the Tokyo Olympics are a good chance for me to do so," she added. Cheruiyot will face stiff challenges in her quest to be named in the Kenyan team to Tokyo and must be in top form from now on. The diminutive athlete will be leading a strong Kenyan delegation to this month's London Marathon (April 22) and knows she needs to start adding big city wins if she is to be considered for the marathon team. Having debuted in the distance in London last year, finishing fourth in 2:23:50 after smoothly transiting from track to road running, Cheruiyot went on to claim her first marathon victory in Frankfurt, Germany last Sept clocking 2:23:35 to break her Personal Best of 2:23:50.

posted Monday April 2nd