Kenyan runner Jackline Chepkoech has opened up about the series of injuries that have hampered her performance over the past year, leading to a disappointing exit from the women’s 3000m steeplechase event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Chepkoech had high hopes heading into the Olympics. However, she finished a distant 12th in her heat with a time of 9:35.56, failing to advance to the final. The race was won by Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, with Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia taking second and American Valerie Constien claiming bronze.
“The race was good, but after a long time I had an injury since last year, so I thank God that I’m here and I’m grateful to God,” Chepkoech said following her elimination.
The 20-year-old Kenyan also struggled at the recent World Championships in Budapest, finishing a disappointing 9th in the final with a time of 9:14.72. Earlier in the season, she had clocked a respectable 9:19.64 at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, where she finished 4th.
Chepkoech’s performance at the Kenyan Olympic trials, where she finished 3rd behind teammates Beatrice Chepkoech and Faith Cherotich, had raised hopes that she could contend for a medal in Paris. However, the lingering effects of her injuries ultimately proved too much to overcome.
“We pray that they [Beatrice and Faith] bring us any medal,” Chepkoech said, wishing her compatriots well. “The heat was too much during the race, so the body has to adjust to that faster.”
With her Olympic dreams dashed for now, Chepkoech will shift her focus to recovery and preparing for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she will hope to rediscover the form that saw her win gold in 2022.