By Xinhua
Nairobi : All Africa Games 1,500 gold medallist Asbel Kiprop is eyeing major championships to avoid burning out before next year’s Olympic Games to be held in Chinese capital Beijing.
The runner who is eyeing a top prize in the games said late Friday he will run in the African championships as his major build up for the Olympic Games, which start in August.
“Since I have now graduated to the senior’s category, I want to avoid cross-country races and focus on the 1,500m event,” Kiprop told journalists after he received prizes worth 280,000 shillings ($4,400) from a sponsor for their sterling performance in the All Africa games in Algeria in July.
“I don’t want to compete in many races like I did last year before heading to the IAAF World Championships in Osaka,” he said.
Representing the medallists to the continental championship, Kiprop was accompanied by world junior champion Ruth Bosibori, who is also preparing for the Olympics.
The two athletes said they were yet to come up with comprehensive training programs but promised to do everything possible to qualify for the Olympics.
Kiprop said he would participate in few races and concentrate on the Olympic Games. However, he said, that should not be an excuse for not winning a medal in Osaka.
“I don’t want to comment on what I did in Osaka, but my call is to make the Olympics team as you all know that Nyayo National Stadium is not an easy venue for qualifying,” he said.
Bosibori, winner of the IAAF Most Promising Athlete Award, said she would run in cross-country races as pert of her preparation for the Olympic Games.
“I would train hard and also participate in cross-country events as I prepare for the Olympics,” the camera-shy Bosibori said.