Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet has announced plans to reduce her race commitments in the lead-up to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, as she aims to secure a historic double in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Chebet, who recently clocked a sensational 14:05.10 to win the women’s 5,000m at the Rome Diamond League, the second-fastest time ever, says the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 5 will likely be her final Diamond League appearance this season.
“I think Prefontaine will be my last Diamond League before the World Championships,” Chebet said, indicating a shift in focus toward intensive preparation for Tokyo, where the championships will run from September 13 to 21.
The Eugene meet also doubles as Athletics Kenya’s official trials for the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m. Despite coming within three seconds of the world record in Rome, Chebet and her coach, Peter Bii, are prioritizing recovery and strategic planning.
“She’ll have enough recovery time. The World Championships are nearly two months after Eugene,” said Bii, who also confirmed that her participation in other races will be determined based on the outcome of the national trials.
Chebet, who took silver at the 2022 Worlds in Eugene and bronze last year in Budapest, has made it clear that this time, gold is the goal.
“That’s the main goal now. I know it’s not easy, everyone is chasing it, but I’m staying focused. I want gold,” she stated.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Chebet cemented her legacy by winning both the 5,000m (14:28.56) and 10,000m (30:43.25), joining an elite group of distance-running greats, a feat she now hopes to replicate at the World Championships.
Written By Rodney Mbua
