Paris 2024: Sharon Lokedi who uses art to overcome anxiety out to dazzle at Olympics

Very few athletes in the long storied annals of athletics history can claim the rare feat of winning a marathon on their debut but that is the story of Sharon Lokedi.

The American-based long distance runner is part of the three-women team set to represent Team Kenya in the marathon including Peres Jepchirchir and Birgid Kosgei.

Having zero experience at the Olympic Games will not deter her relentless zeal and passion for marathon running as she is one of the favourites for a podium finish.

Lokedi was born for the streets of marathon running as since making her debut in the 42km race she has failed to finish out of the podium places which augurs well for Team Kenya.

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Most of her career has been spent in the USA where she ran a number of college track and field competitions from 2015 to 2019.

Personal life-

The 30-year-old was born to Jonathan and Rose Lokedi and is the first born of three siblings, Ceddellah Chelimo, Lince Cheptoo and Mercy Chemutai.

She became deep rooted in athletics at Kapkenda Girls’ School where she still holds records in the 3000m and 5000m and won the Best Athlete of 2013 for her exploits.

After sitting for her national exams at Kapkenda, Lokedi relocated to University of Kansas (KU), where she studied nursing and business.

Balancing any sport and studies always prove to be a tasking challenge for most athletes and Lokedi was no exception as she was close to hanging her spikes to concentrate in class.

Early career-

Being a freshman at the University of Kansas, where she enrolled after being persuaded by her friend in the US and seeing pictures of America that sold her the dream, Lokedi had a stellar first year.

Lokedi had initially participated in a 3,000-meter time trial on a track in Eldoret that was filmed for college recruiting purposes—and she won, earning the chance to join University of Kansas.

She finished third at the NCAA Midwest Regional and managed a 10th-place showing at the NCAA Championships highlighted her stellar freshman career.

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The long distance runner also emerged as the university’s lead female runner in all nine meets of her collegiate career where she placed in the top 10 in eight of the nine competitions.

After graduating in 2019 she signed on with Under Armour and joined Dark Sky Distance, a training group based in Flagstaff, Arizona, managed by coach and agent Stephen Haas.

Lokedi then won her first race as a pro, the Carlsbad 5000 (in 15:38), and later graduated to longer distances on the road that included a fourth-place finish at the New York City Half in 2022.

An interesting fact about Lokedi is that she usually travels to competitions with a whiteboard and marker to draw mandalas, or flowers, or buildings as prescribed by her sports psychologist to ease her nerves before races.

Career milestone-

Her career milestone to date remains winning the New York City Marathon on her debut but since then she has not been able to win any marathon majorly due to her injury in 2023.

Olympic qualification-

Initially named on the marathon team as a reserve, Lokedi was given a direct slot after Brigit Kosgei suffered an injury in training weeks to the Olympics.

Preparation for Olympics-

The 30-year-old prepared for the Olympics with a runners up finish at the Boston Marathon, finishing behind compatriot Hellen Obiri.

Competition at Olympics-

Aside from her compatriots Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri, Lokedi will also face stern competition from current world record holder Tigist Asefa, the Ethiopian duo of Amane Beriso Shankule, and Alemu Megertu, not forgetting Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands.

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Medal prospects-

Lokedi is almost certain of a podium finish at the Olympics and would be content with a silver medal at her debut at the games.