• Analysing his race strategy, Cheruiyot acknowledged tactical missteps that cost him.
• The 28-year-old is a five-time Diamond League winner from Stockholm 2017 (3:30.77), Paris 2018 (3:29.71), Monaco 2019 93:29.97), 2021 Zurich (3:31.37) and Monaco (3:28.28).
Image: XINHUA
After disappointment in the Paris Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic 1,500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot is shifting gears to the Diamond League circuit.
Cheruiyot finished in position 11 in 3:31.35 minutes in the men's 1,500m final ahead of compatriot Brian Komen who placed last in 3:35.59 on Tuesday night at the Stade de France.
American Cole Hocker stormed to victory with an Olympic record time of 3:27.65, narrowly beating Britain’s Josh Kerr (3:27.79) and fellow American Yared Nuguse (3:27.80), who completed the podium.
Reflecting on his Paris performance, Cheruiyot admitted it was a learning experience but remains resolute about bouncing back.
“Athletes are human too, and I will always endeavour to keep on improving. I'll have that chance soon as I prepare for my next Diamond League races,” Cheruiyot stated.
The 28-year-old is a five-time Diamond League winner from Stockholm 2017 (3:30.77), Paris 2018 (3:29.71), Monaco 2019 93:29.97), 2021 Zurich (3:31.37) and Monaco (3:28.28).
Analysing his race strategy, Cheruiyot acknowledged tactical missteps that cost him.
“Championship racing is a gamble. I pushed early, aiming to stay with the leaders. I planned to stick with the fast pace and believed I would come through strong when it mattered,” he stated.
He revealed that his body was fatigued in the final stretch of the race.
"My strategy, however, backfired. That last 250 metres was brutal, my body just couldn’t respond,” he reflected.
Despite his struggles, Cheruiyot maintained a winner’s mindset and applauded his competitors for their stellar performances.
“I respect the athletes who stood on the podium. Congratulations to Hocker, Kerr, and Nuguse, they deserved it,” he remarked.
Though disappointed with his second Olympic appearance, Cheruiyot is proud of the effort he invested to compete on the world’s biggest stage.
“I am greatly disappointed with the results but I also know the huge effort I have put into my training to be on the start line in my second Olympics,” he noted.
His last Olympic appearance was in Tokyo 2020, where he won silver with a time of 3:29.01 behind 1,500m and 2,000m World record holder Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway (3:28.32) and Kerr (3:29.05).
He concluded by thanking his fans for the support they have accorded him during his exploits in Paris. “To my team and fans, both at home and abroad—thank you for standing by me. Your support means everything,” he stated.