Anyango optimistic of Olympic slot despite facing tough field

2024 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour Gold winner Emmaculate Anyango is confident that she will book a slot for the upcoming Paris Olympics slated for 26 July to 11 August.

But first, she will have to impress in the Olympic trials slated for Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon on 25 May.

The Olympic qualifying mark for the women’s 10,000m is 30:40.00.

If Anyango lowers her personal best of 32:51.58, she will get a crack at the world’s best during the Olympics.

She set her PB at the Fernanda Ribeiro Gala in Maia, Portugal.

"I'll be heading to the Olympic Trials this week in Oregon. My goal is crystal clear: earn my place to represent Kenya in Paris," she said after winning the LG/SJAK award.

The youngster started her year on a high.

In January, she clocked 28:57 during the Valencia 10km Road Race, and together with Agnes Jebet who clocked 28:46, they became the first women to run the race sub-30.

That only inspired her to perform better.

She went on to clinch the title at the Sirikwa Classic cross-country tour after running in 32:55.

In March, she was included in Team Kenya to the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, but narrowly missed out on the podium to claim fourth position in 31:24.

The results seemed to challenge her, and she went on to win silver during the Boston 5km road race in April.

This time she ran in 14:59, 14 seconds behind the winner Fotyen Tesfay from Ethiopia who ran in 14:45.

That same month, she won silver in the Bengaluru, India 10km Road Race clocking 31:16 behind Lilian Kasait (30:56).

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She has been recording a win every month and she hopes June will not be an exception.

The Olympics is the ultimate stage for any athlete, and the fierce Anyango hopes to make the dream a reality.

"Making it to the Olympics is my ultimate goal. While the challenge of hitting the mark is real, my determination will drive me to succeed," she noted.

She will headline a strong contingent that includes world 5k silver medalist Lilian Kasait, world cross country and 5k champion Beatrice Chebet, World half marathon silver and bronze medalists Magret Chelimo and Catherine Reline, and Cynthia Chepng’eno.

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Gudaf Tsegay will also pose stiff competition.

Despite the headache that lays ahead, Anyango is confident that her intense training will finally pay off.

"The competition among female athletes in the 10,000m will be tough. It's going to be a demanding race. My preparations are going on well. I have taken part in a couple of races this year and they have been crucial as far as my endurance and speed work are concerned,” she offered.

The women's race is scheduled for 10.50 am, while the men take on the track at 12.05 pm on Saturday, 25 May.