Emmanuel Wanyonyi admits to pressure ahead of Olympic Games

ATHLETICS Emmanuel Wanyonyi admits to pressure ahead of Olympic Games

Abigael Wafula 06:58 - 16.02.2024

Emmanuel Wanyonyi has admitted that there is a lot of pressure from his fans as he seeks to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Reigning world 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi has opened up on the pressures placed on him ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Last season, Wanyonyi was mostly referred to as the new kid on the block but at the moment, many people tend to believe he is one of the greatest 800m runners.

However, Wanyonyi himself does not believe that since he believes without proper training and build-up, he will not be able to deliver.

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“You know many people believe that I have the potential to compete at the Olympic Games but deep down I know, it’s not easy," said Wanyonyi.

“If I fail to train well like I did last year, I will not be able to make the cut to the Olympic team. I want to have a sit down with my coach and see how we can make 2024 better." 

The former World Under-20 800m champion was in a class of his own last season, bagging a silver medal in the men’s 800m at the World Championships in the Hungarian capital.

Wanyonyi then proceeded to stun reigning world champion Marco Arop at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting final, and take the trophy home.

He opened his 2024 season with a stunning victory in the 2km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross-country, stopping the clock at 5:41.20 ahead of Victor Kipkirui and Edwin Kiprono who clocked respective times of 5:42.10 and 5:45.90.

In a post-race interview, he said: “I feel great and I’m happy to have won today…I thank God for the far he has brought me. I’m just building up slowly through cross-country."

“I’m now training and I’ll check how my body responds and how I will select my races because the season is still young.”