Former world 5000m bronze medallist Isaiah Koech is hoping his second appearance at the Olympics will bring with it the elusive medal status.
Koech was fifth at the 2012 London Olympics but is hopeful that he can go two slots better and enjoy his moment on the podium.
“It is such a great feeling to be in the Olympics team once again,” said Koech in his base in Rio Janeiro.
“I am hoping to do well and at least get myself a medal. I know it will not be easy but I believe in myself,” observed Koech.
Interestingly, Koech has revealed he is not amused by the noises made by fans when he is competing.
“At the Olympics I don’t like the fans in the stadium. They are so loud, especially in London when we were in the same even with Mo (double Olympic champion Mo Farah).
He also moved to clarify the confusion surrounding his first name, which he revealed is Isiah as opposed to Isaiah.
“I don’t take offense since they (names) are almost the same,” he observed.
Koech has a personal best time of 12:48.64 clocked in Paris on July 6, 2012 while his season best time is 13:08.34 he timed in Euguene, Oregon on May 28.
His other top honour is the gold medal he won at the 2009 Brixen World Youth Championships.
Koech landed in Rio on Sunday evening and after two days of acclimatization he remains upbeat saying: “I am quite happy to be here. Everything is ok. My preparations back at home were good and I am hoping to keep going until the final race.”
Courtesy of thestar.co.ke