Paris 2024 Olympics: Peres Jepchirchir makes audacious verdict on Kenya's podium chances in the women's marathon

Peres Jepchirchir has rated Kenya's chances in the women's marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics as she prepares to represent the country alongside compatriots Sharon Lokedi and Hellen Obiri.

Peres Jepchirchir is chasing history at the Paris Olympic Games, where she intends to be the first woman to defend her Olympic marathon title.

Jepchirchir has been sharpening her talons with title defense on her mind and she believes in her training and abilities to achieve the rare feat.

The newly-crowned London Marathon champion also admitted that the Kenyan team is strong and should be downplayed. She disclosed that all of them have run on tough courses, just like the one in Paris and have managed to claim top honors.

For instance, Hellen Obiri is a two-time Boston Marathon champion while Lokedi won the 2022 New York City Marathon and finished second at the 2024 Boston marathon champion. Meanwhile, Jepchirchir has also won the Boston and New York City Marathons and she believes they can all impress at the Olympic Games.

“The course is not easy but I thank God for the Kenyan team that comprises I, Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi. I have run the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon and won,” Jepchirchir told Africa News.

“Obiri has won the Boston Marathon twice and Sharon won New York and was second in Boston. I believe in them and myself because all of us have run on tough courses and this will not be the first,” she added.

The trio has been impressive this season, with Jepchirchir breaking the women-only world record that has since been ratified at the London Marathon.

Obiri and Lokedi were in action at the Boston Marathon, where the former claimed the win as the latter took second-place in the hotly-contested race.

They all head to the Paris Olympic Games with the hope of making a mark and leaving a legacy with Jepchirchir having all the weight on her shoulders to make history.

posted Monday July 29th
by Abigael Wafula