体坛英语新闻：Kenyan Cheruiyot eyes on Tokyo Olympics marathon title

NAIROBI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- London marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot said here Monday that she is keen to win gold for Kenya in the marathon at the Olympics.

The 33-year-old has won everything on the track including World Championships, Commonwealth Games and World Cross Country Championships.

He broke the duck in Rio Olympics in 2016 when she won gold and silver in 5,000m and 10,000m races.

"I have no idea of what to expect at the World Championships in Qatar next year. However, my focus and training is geared towards the 2020 Olympics in Japan. I have competed in four Olympics, I want Tokyo to be a special place in my career," said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot arrived on the Olympic scene back in 2000 in Sydney, Australia and was a finalist in the 5,000m race.

She missed the 2004 Athens games due to poor form and settled for fifth spot in 15:46.32 over the 5,000m distance at Beijing Olympics 2008.

Cheruiyot buried herself in training and emerged strong at the London games clinching a silver and bronze medal in the 10,000m and 5,000m respectively with Ethiopians Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defer denying her gold races.

"It will be my first Olympic Marathon and I am really looking ahead to be part of Kenyan team," said Cheruiyot.

"I have always said that it would be good to retire from athletics while at the top and Tokyo Olympics is the best stage," she added.

In the meantime, Cheruiyot will be happy if the panel of selectors will consider her for the World Championships in Doha, Qatar next year.

"I will see whether they will put me in the team. It is up to the selectors to decide and what I know is that I have to defend my title at the London marathon in 2019," said Cheruiyot.

Despite struggling with a thigh injury prior to New York marathon debut early this month, Cheruiyot showed her class to chase down compatriot Mary Keitany and was honored with a silver medal.

Keitany clocked 2:22:52 with Cheruiyot settling for silver in a time of 2:26:02, the second fastest time ever in the New York marathon history.

Her personal best time is two hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds from London marathon last year.

"I struggled with an injury for over a month in the build up to New York marathon. It hampered my preparations though (Keitany) Mary was powerful. She deserves the win and I know we will meet again soon. She also knew the course very well and that is a resume I want to build in running marathon," she added.