Paris Olympics: Hellen Obiri considering 2024 as last shot to deliver gold

Kenyan marathoner Hellen Obiri firmly believes that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be her last, which definitely adds more impetus to her quest for her first gold medal.

With a studded resume that includes world titles in indoor, outdoor, and cross-country competitions, Obiri is yet to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games and is poised to give it a crack on Sunday at the women’s marathon.

Paris 2024: Hellen Obiri chasing maiden Olympic gold at the third attempt

The 34-year-old, taking part in her fourth Summer Games, will team up with countrymates Peres Jepchirchir and Sharon Lokedi in the last athletics event in Paris, gunning off at 0900 EAT.

Asked about the significance of the race, Obiri, a two-time Boston Marathon champion, told BBC Africa: "It will be an exciting moment for me; I can’t even imagine."

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"If I won an Olympic gold, I would have achieved everything I have wanted career-wise because I have won World Cross Country, World Championships, and other major races. This is the only missing accolade in my athletics career."

Given her experience, Obiri harbors the thought that after Paris, it could be time to pave the way for the upcoming generation, especially if she wins the tough but demanding course.

“I think this will be my last Olympics, but I see myself going extra hard,” she said. “If I win it, I will give [an] opportunity to the upcoming athletes in 2028. I will be running other races, but I will not be in Team Kenya for championships.”

To win it all, Obiri, in addition to the Kenyan trio, will have to fend off world record holder Tigist Assefa, Ethiopia's duo of Amane Beriso Shankule and Alemu Megertu, and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, taking part in her third event at the Paris Olympics.