National 800m champion Lilian Odira targets to gain as much experience as possible at the Paris Olympic Games — her first major championship outside Africa.
In an interview, the 25-year-old revealed her eagerness to compete against the world's elite and gain invaluable experience.
“I want to gain experience since this will be my first international championship outside Africa. I have competed in African championships before and now I want to go up against the best in the world,” Odira remarked.
Odira placed fourth at the African Games on March 19, clocking 2:00.81 behind Kenya's Vivian Chebet (2:00.27), Uganda's Halimah Nakaayi (1:58.59) and Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma (1:57.73).
She also clinched a silver medal at the Africa Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in a time of 2:00.36 behind Sarah Moraa (2:00.27) and ahead of Morocco’s Soukaina Hajji (2:00.91).
Odira is, however, aware of the tough task that awaits her in Paris, straight from the heats.
“In major competitions, even the heats can be the most difficult. Making it past the heats will be a huge achievement. I am ready for that task,” she added.
She is laser-focused on lowering her personal best of 1:59.27, set at the Olympic trials.
“My focus in Paris is to lower my personal best. I can only do that if I get to the finals and compete against the best,” Odira added.
Her PB at the trials secured her a spot in the Olympics, with Mary Moraa (1:59.35) and Sarah Moraa (1:59.39) close behind.
Reaching the final will make her first Olympic outing memorable.
“I am going to fight. I will not let Kenya down, especially now that this is my first Olympics. I want to make it memorable,” she added.
Building endurance is her main area of focus ahead of Paris.
“I want to build my endurance since the 800m race is demanding. There are a lot of heats and the body has to be ready for the challenge. I am also polishing up my speed,” she added.
She has her post-Paris future planned for.
“My management have organised some few races in September,” she revealed.
