Cheruiyot keen to kickstart season at Monaco Diamond League

World 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot is set make a return to competitive action at the first leg of the Diamond League series slated for Monaco, France in August 14.

In the revised World Athletics calendar, the Monaco meet will mark the return of athletics action since the outbreak of coronavirus that led to postponement of major events globally.

Cheruiyot was set to start the season at the Doha Diamond League on April 17 before the race was eventually cancelled over the virus.

As the world grapple to contain the virus, Cheruiyot is optimistic of competing again in the lucrative championship that he has dominated in the past three consecutive seasons.

“My aim is to compete again in Monaco, and my target is to go there and try to win,” said Cheruiyot.

The 24-year-old is thus primed for a clash with his compatriot and training partner Elijah Manangoi who is returning from an ankle injury that locked him out of the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Rabat, Zurich and London are the other Diamond League meetings that were cancelled.

Cheruiyot who was in top form in the 2019 season that culminated in his heroics at the Worlds said he still harbors the dream of winning his maiden Olympics gold despite the postponement of the Games to 2021.

“I know it has been difficult for all of us since our programmes have been greatly affected and we pray for normalcy to return. For Olympics I think it is important to keep focus ahead of next year,” he said.

Despite being away from his training mates and trainer after the closure of training camps in the country, Cheruiyot also draws positives from the unprecedented break.

“I think I have had a much-deserved rest where I have spent adequate time with my family and that has been really very important for me,” said Cheruiyot.

The 24-year-old will team up alongside compatriots and training partners Manangoi and Edwin Meli in a virtual race against Ingebrigtsen brothers of Norway set for June 11.