Chelagat rising above cross country heartbreak to chase Olympic ticket

When news of the cancellation of Africa Cross Country championships scheduled for Lome, Togo reached St Mark's Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu where team Kenya were training, the athletes were a disappointed lot. 

However, Sheila Chelagat, who had qualified for the African showpiece after winning the national cross country championship held at Ngong racecourse on March 13 in a time of 34:55.5, rose from that disappointment to enter the 5000m race at the first Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meet and win. 

She cut the tape in 15:42.25 ahead of Jackline Cherotich and Mary Nyatuai who finished second and third respectively. 

"This was my first track event this year and the race was good. Having been in training for the Africa Cross Country, my body was still tired but I pushed for this win. I thought my body would disappoint me especially after that racecourse event which was extremely challenging but the response was good," said Chelagat at the finish line of the AK meet. 

The former World Under-17 medalist decried her missed chances at representing the country at the African Cross Country event but maintained that she is shifting her focus to the Summer Games. 

"I had qualified for the African Championship last year which was postponed to this year due to Covid-19. I went through a second round of qualification and now the event has been postponed again. I think this chance is gone but we wait for more communication. If the event runs then well and good. If not, I will put my energy on training for the Olympics qualifiers," she added. 

Despite having a chance to fight for a ticket to the senior Africa Games, Chelagat maintains that the Olympics ticket is what she desires.  

"I will remain on the 5000m race and despite the competition expected I feel that I am in good shape and I can make the Olympics team. I will keep preparing for the qualifiers to better my chances of going to Tokyo," Chelagat offered.