Paul Tergat running in Catania, Italy (© Zorzi)
Following the announcement a fortnight ago that Paul Tergat had sustained a calf injury and so would not toe the starting line at next Sunday’s Flora London Marathon (18 April), the World Marathon record holder has now turned his full attention to the summer’s Athens Olympic marathon for which he has already been pre-selected by Athletics Kenya.
Jürg Wirz recently caught up with Tergat and interviewed him exclusively for the IAAF internet about his injury and of course Athens –
London would have been a good opportunity
“The injury happened one month ago,“ the Kenyan star explained. “I was not able to train the whole of March.“
The first two weeks he tried to treat the injury in Kenya but after talking to his coach Dr. Gabriele Rosa he decided to go to Brescia in Italy where Rosa’s son Marco is the medical director of the “Centro Marathon“, a medical centre which has all the necessary facilities. As such, in the first week of April Tergat was able to resume his training.
“London would have been a good opportunity seeing most of the main contenders for the Olympic gold. The one who is going to win in London will have a psychological advantage. But now the focus is on Athens.“
The Olympic Games are still a little bit far, more than four months from now...
“It is not far! There is not even one day I am not thinking about the marathon in Athens. Every athlete is dreaming about the Olympics. Athens is an opportunity where I don’t want to gamble."
"I would like to see myself winning this race more than anything else. I will do everything I can to get this gold medal. I believe it is my last chance for the gold. At least that is the way it looks but on the other hand you should never exclude something when you are not absolutely certain.“
When you think about the opportunity becoming one of the greatest long distance runners of all time by winning the marathon gold in Athens – you don’t feel a big pressure?
“No, not at all. I have done so many things in my life as an athlete. Of course an Olympic marathon is very different from a city marathon where there are pacemakers. Olympics are always full of surprises. It is not a question of times, it is only a question of positions."
"In Athens the race might be tactical. After 30 or 35 kilometres I might be the only Kenyan together with two Moroccans and an Ethiopian. What really matters: You have to be prepared for any kind of race, for a tactical one as well as for a fast one."
"Don’t forget: We are talking about Athens in August when it is normally very hot and humid. I have seen the course: there is a big hill on the way, very unique. You can tell and charge the race as it goes.“
Is it possible to prepare the difficult climatic conditions?
“Unfortunately in Kenya we don’t have this kind of humidity; we have hot and dry. The only thing: You have to get ready psychologically. You have to know what you might face and you have to be prepared. That is the only thing you can do."
"In Athens we might see a lot of surprises from Japan, Korea, also Spain or Italy – these people are used to this kind of conditions."
"I don’t fear the heat. The worst thing is the humidity. You have to drink really a lot to avoid cramps. When you are already sweating from the first kilometre – that is what I am scared of. And regardless how much you drink you are not able to compensate in time. And then when you arrive at 30 or 38 kilometre you might be empty from one minute to the other. Like a car without fuel.“
And where are you going to prepare the Olympics?
“At home, for sure. This is the best place for me to prepare a marathon. Me I believe when I am in top form, when I am on the top of my physical and mental strength it doesn’t matter where the race is and how the conditions are. When you are in your best shape you can win anywhere.“
In simple worlds: You have to make sure you are better prepared than the others. That is the only secret...
“You are absolutely right. That is it. It is as simple as that.“
After breaking the World record last year in Berlin what has changed in your life? From outside it seems it is only now that you are respected by the Kenyan public as one of the greatest runners ever.
“It is a good feeling when you go around and everybody knows you. They are identifying you with something good. I feel very honoured. People appreciate what I have done for the Kenyan sports - and especially that I brought the World record in marathon to this country. It is amazing how many people admire my performances."
"On the other hand: So many want to be part of my success, so many want something. It makes life a bit difficult but also sweet if you know how to balance your schedule. And frankly I have quite a lot of people working for me for all my different business activities. They are blocking out all the unimportant requests and wishes. My job is running. I have to focus fully on my training.“
