NAIROBI, Dec.11 (Xinhua) -- European marathon record holder Kaan Kigen Ozbilen says his next target is to win a medal at the Olympics Games in Tokyo.
Kaan Kigen Ozbilen, a 33-year-old Turkish athlete who ditched his Kenyan passport to compete for the European giants, is back in Kaptagat in northwest Kenya to train together with Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge.
Speaking in Eldoret on Wednesday, Ozbilen has warned that it will take something special for anyone to break the world record, which is held by his training mate Kipchoge at 2:01:39.
"Breaking the world record will not be easy. I know I can run faster and for me, the target is to run under two hours and four minutes. I will do my best and develop. I put my goals step by step and now my next step is to run under 2:04 and to get a medal in the Tokyo Olympics," Ozbilen said.
After breaking Mo Farah's European record with 2:04:16 earlier this month in Valencia, Ozbilen says he has got more conviction of better performances in 2020.
"My training partner is a world record-holder Eliud Kipchoge. He is such a focused and disciplined athlete and I am lucky to train with him. But before the world championship in June, l broke a toe and lost six weeks of training and possibly a world medal," Ozbilen said.
While Ozbilen is almost assured of a slot in the Turkish team, it is not a position even his mentor and training partner Kipchoge enjoys. In Kenya, Kipchoge is one of over 100 top runners who are eyeing their spot on the national team.
Kenya is marred by chaotic and inexplicable selection procedures, which has left several egos bruised or top talent swearing not to compete for the country ever.
But Kipchoge is hopeful he will be given a second shot at the Olympics to defend his title. "If selected I will be there to defend my title because I have Tokyo Olympics in my plans," Kipchoge told reporters in Eldoret on Tuesday.
"It (Tokyo) is at the front of my mind, and I trust and believe that when the time comes I will be on the starting line," he said.
Four-time New York City marathon winner Mary Keitany has also begged Athletics Kenya to consider her for the Olympics having finished fourth in her debut in London in 2012.
Keitany, who turns 38 in January, is the holder of the women-only marathon record of 2:17:01 set during the 2017 London Marathon. She holds a desire to represent the country at the Olympics next year.
"It is not only about me, but you have to factor all the other factors, if I cannot make the team, I will understand because I know the reasons," Keitany said.
