Kolkata: Ending all speculations, Indian long distance runner Sudha Singh said here Sunday that she will compete in the marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.
There were reports that she was displeased with coach Nikolai Snesarev’s decision of making her concentrate on marathon instead of her favoured 3,000 metres steeplechase. But she quashed all speculations. “I will run the marathon in Rio. So my focus is on it. I have been doing well in the last few that I have taken part in and I am prepared for it,” Sudha stated.
Sudha qualified for the marathon in Rio when she clocked 2:35:35 in the World Championships in China last year. “I dont know if I will be winning a medal. It will be tough. But I have improved from last year and hopefully I will do well there (Rio),” stated Sudha.
The athlete, who hails from Rae Bareli is also a former national 3,000 metres steeplechase record holder and said that the event is still close to her heart. “I have been training for the 3,000m steeplechase too. Though I have not qualified for the Olympics yet, I am sure I will do it when competitions start in April,” she said. IANS