By Grace Lindsay Mbabazi, Los Angeles
Reigning 5000m Olympic champion and three-time 10000m World champion Joshua Cheptegei has revealed that he is not focusing on setting a new record at the Diamond League in Oslo in two weeks’ time. Instead, he plans to use the race as a test preparation for his assault on the 10000m title at the Paris Olympics.
Cheptegei shared his views with NBS Sport USA correspondent Grace Lindsay Mbabazi after finishing third in a time of 12:52.38 at the 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix. Ethiopian runners Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi finished first and second with times of 12:51.60 and 12:52.09, respectively, at UCLA’s Drake Stadium. Jacob Kiplimo finished fourth, crossing the line in 12:52.91.
“For me, I don’t like to do too many things,” Cheptegei said. “I think I will do one more race, and that might be the Diamond League as my final preparation for the Olympics. My focus won’t be on winning or setting another record; I will just follow my plan and see how my body reacts.
