Dream come true, possible last throw of dice for Obiri in Paris Olympics

On Monday 22 May 2023, an ecstatic Hellen Obiri, just off a win a day earlier at the 10km Great Manchester Run, for the first time in front of the press at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport staked her claim to be included in the 2024 Paris Olympics marathon team.

Her affirmation, which she since then made known - and deservedly so - was just not about her 30:15 showing then, but also due to the fact that she was already that year, building up a decent portfolio on the road.

In the aftermath of a decent sixth place finish in her marathon debut in New York on 6 November 2022, Obiri, in early 2023, triumphed at two half-marathons; RAK (United Arab Emirates) and New York, building up to one of her most impressive wins in her second stab at the full distance.

The moment came in Boston on 17 April, when in typical Obiri fashion, she managed to outkick Ethiopia's Beriso Amane in the last mile, cutting the tape in 2:21:38, to record her first major marathon win.

Hellen Obiri picks first ever marathon win as she conquers Boston

That success, though a month down the line, was still part of the reason the media was all over her, as she gathered the confidence to speak about a chance to represent Kenya at the Olympic Games over the newly-found distance.

“Of course yes,” Obiri responded when asked if competing at the Summer Games was on the table for her. “I will be the one flying the flag for the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) team then.”

It was then that she added a compelling case saying: “I’ll be there, and that's the last gold I'll be looking for in the Olympics.”

And as if written in the stars, Obiri on Thursday 4 April earned her place into Kenya’s women’s marathon team to Paris, joining five other athletes including; Peres Jepchirchir, Brigid Kosgei, Sharon Lokedi, Rosemary Wanjiru and Ruth Chepngetich.

Justified call but Olympic Gold bigger

Obiri, who has so far competed in three Olympic Games in her career on track, on Wednesday 3 April in an interview with Citius Mag reiterated her will to finally win an Olympic gold, the only remaining medal yet to be ticked off on her bucket-list.

The only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track and cross country, made her Olympics debut in the 1500m race in London, where she finished 12th - her position was later upgraded to 8th after a few athletes were eliminated due to doping violations.

In Rio 2016, Obiri ran in the 5000m race, where she finished second in a time of 14:29.77, only behind compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot who won gold in an Olympic record time of 14:26.17.

The 2018 African champion would then attempt a 5000m and 10000m double in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, where she finished in second and fourth place respectively.

In Paris 2024, a chance for her to do something special, as she built up the prospect.

“Wow. It will be very exciting for me. Competing in the marathon this year will be my biggest opportunity to show that I’ve been doing it on track, and now as a marathoner, a chance to get that gold that I have been looking for for so many years. I believe it is my time and I will train for it.”

Carrying big advantage in Paris

The historic Paris Olympics marathon course promises to take athletes on a sporting challenge of unprecedented difficulty, thanks to a tough route with significant climbs.

Commenting on the spectacular but demanding route, which will notably carry significant climbs through nine communes, Obiri, thanks to her experience in “hard courses” believes she will carry an advantage saying: “If you have done so many cross countries, if you have speed and done tougher courses, you have a big advantage because in the Olympics there are no pacemakers; its nobody’s game.

“As for me, I believe I will have a big advantage because I have done the hard courses. I will do better.”

As the defending New York Marathon champion gets to the starting line on Sunday 11 August 2024, so will be a dream - one come true and the other still in the works- a tale of relentless will, and maybe a last throw of the dice in what is possibly her best shot at Olympic gold.

Last chance saloon for Obiri in Olympics gold medal hunt