Timothy Cheruiyot

Timothy Cheruiyot (born 20 November 1995) is a Kenyan middle-distance runner specialising in the 1500 metres. He is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medallist in the event and the 11th fastest athlete all time over the distance. At the World Athletics Championships, Cheruiyot won the silver medal in 2017 in London, and a gold in 2019 in Doha. Quotes Growing up, my role model was Eliud Kipchoge and he’s passed on lessons to me and so many other athletes about how to be disciplined. He’s a humble guy, a friend, and we spent time together traveling to the Olympics. What was the chief lesson? Focus on training, and you will achieve. After 2015, I learned more from my colleagues about how to run the 1,500m, and I gained confidence and experience. I used to watch old races on YouTube, learning more about how to run championships. I kept getting better and better: silver at the World Championships in 2017, and gold in 2019. I didn’t change anything, but just put in the work under the guidance of (coach) Bernard Ouma. A defining moment in my early career was the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) at the 2015 IAAF World Relays Championships in the Bahamas. It was my first time to fly in a plane. First time to represent Kenya. First time to run a DMR. First time in an international stadium. The intended aim for me? To assist in re-writing Kenya’s existing DMR World Record. No pressure then! The WR on that day fell to Team USA but I achieved Silver and gained a valuable learning experience. I had a hunger to improve but much more experience required. He spoke about his career I remained World No. 1 in 1500m but also stepped down to the 800m where I ran a PB of 1.43.13 to win the Kenyan National Championships. I won all Diamond League races bar my first race in Doha in May when I was easing back into racing after my injury in the winter build up. Front running Lausanne Diamond League to get a 3.28.78 meet record was particularly memorable - watch the race here. A successful defence of my Diamond League trophy was one objective achieved. But the season ending with a Gold medal at the IAAF World Championships in Doha is my biggest achievement and proudest moment; something I have dreamed of and worked hard for since I was a teenager. It was an amazing feeling to finally get Gold for Kenya. He spoke about his career 2020 - a year with so many challenges due to coronavirus. Little did I know when I was in New York in November at the NIKE Forum that that would be my last travel for 5 months! I am so grateful for the few races I did manage to run in Monaco, Stockholm, Doha and Nairobi. The unique Impossible Games was different but fun over the 2,000m distance. The whole 3 months before this I had spent time at my rural home in Bomet with my family. This was the longest time in 6 years I have spent at home. It reminded me how far I had come and how much I appreciated the most important thing in life - family. He spoke about his career You have to prepare your mind. You have to stay focused. The 1500m is a tough physical race, yes, but it’s also psychological. When I’m warming up, I’m usually not thinking too much about the race. I’m calm, I’m confident. But on the start line, I’m thinking: I will win this. I always say: if you ask to finish 10th, you’ll be given 10th. If you ask for number one, you’ll be given number one. That’s the approach you have to take going into major finals. Ahead of the biggest event of my career, the Tokyo Olympics, I was struggling with injury. I had a problem with my hamstring, but I did what I could, managed to get back to good fitness before travelling to Japan. I went there as the world champion. Being Kenyan, the expectation from the people at home is that you win gold, which can be difficult. External links Category:Sportspeople from Kenya Category:Track and field athletes Category:1995 births Category:Living people