Cherono sets sights on Olympics glory after conquests in the USA

Newly crowned Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono is eager to represent Kenya at the next year’s Olympic Games to be held in Japan.

Cherono has had a fantastic season completing a double at the World Marathon Majors- winning Boston in April before clinching the Chicago marathon title a week ago.

The 31-year-old says he will be honoured if given the chance to fly Kenya’s flag in next year’s summer Games.

“I am very ready to represent my country. I will be more than happy if I will be selected in  Kenya’s team for the Olympics,” Cherono told Citizen Digital.

Cherono clocked 2:07:57 en route to winning Boston marathon before clocking 2:05:45 in Chicago’s victory with both wins coming in a tight final sprint.

“You have to be tactical in every race. I always try to maintain my speed and observe the pack and that is why most of my victories come in the homestretch,” Cherono explained.

The athlete who trains in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County has also urged the government to expedite the construction of stadiums in the region as athletes suffer due to lack of adequate facilities for training

“It is very difficult for us to travel all the way from Kaptagat to the University of Eldoret just for training. For us, If they can build some stadiums then we won’t ask for more,” said Cherono.

The two-time Amsterdam marathon champion is however yet to decide whether he will be competing at the London marathon or return to defend his Boston title next year.

Despite Kenya finishing second at the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Cherono believes Kenya still faces a lot of competition from her fellow East African neighbours.

“We may still be ranked top but the competition from Uganda and Ethiopia is worrying. We have no margin for error and that is why I call upon the government to invest more in all the sports not only athletics,” said Cherono.