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Kenya's medalist Kipsang eyes London win, gold in Rio

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Olympic marathon bronze medalist Wilson Kipsang would pass on any chance to compete in a top city road race, but not lifetime chance to race in Rio Olympics in August.

Kipsang, 33, knows time is not on his side to wait another four years to compete in the Olympics. Rio will be his final stop competing in national colours and he wants to bow out on a high.

However, it is not that easy for him to walk in and claim the gold. There is the small matter of qualifying through the explosive Kenyan trials.

"It is not easy for anyone to claim the outright spot in the Kenya team. Anywhere else, a person like me would be an automatic selection for the Olympics, but as it is, we have all to face off at the London Marathon in April," he said on Monday from Eldoret.

A year ago, Kipsang had no response to his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge as he charged forward to claim the gold. But he wants to show who is boss and will be keen to wrap it up with a ticket to Rio Games.

"It is never simple. Running against a pool of talented athletes, people who have proved their niche and have nothing more to prove. But I always run my own race. I give it all and push as far as I can. I will not change in London," he added.

Last month Kipsang was among a horde of local athletes who took part in the Ras Al Khaimah half marathon.

"I wanted to test my abilities and find out where I need to focus my training on for the upcoming months. I have been preparing for the London marathon and I wanted to test my abilities in Ras Al Khaimah to measure my progress so far," he said.

Ethiopia's Birhanu Legese and Cynthia Limo won but Kipsang got his target, to gauge his body and now he knows where he ranks on the table of men.

"I am satisfied with my progress so far and I'm looking forward to go back to London and race again. The target is to win and secure a ticket to Rio Olympics," Kipsang said.

Kenya will use the London marathon to select its team to Rio Olympics. Alongside Kipsang, there is Stanley Biwott, winner in New York, Geoffrey Kamworor, the World Half Marathon Champion, Kipchoge among others eyeing the three slots reserved for Kenya at the Olympics. Endit