NAIROBI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four years ago, Mary Keitany was viewed as not strong enough to join Kenyan team in the Rio Olympic Games.
Keitany together with another road race veteran Florence Kiplagat, were considered for the reserve bench when Kenya settled on Heleh Kiprop, Jemima Sumgong, and Visiline Jepkesho.
The snub took the wind out of Keitany's sails, but the 37-year-old believes she still has something to offer her country before calling her time on her illustrious career.
Speaking in Eldoret recently, Keitany was emphatic that she was still dreaming of competing at the Olympics and she has got only one shot remaining at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
"I am focusing on the Tokyo Olympics. I know it is not in my hands to confirm participation, but I believe I will get the nod," said Keitany.
"It is no secret that Kenya has a huge number of upcoming young athletes always seeking to replace the aging folks. Some of the elite women runners have posted very fast times, but I have that dream, that hope that I may be offered the chance, "she added.
After her omission from the Kenya team to Rio, Keitany opted not to feature at the London World Championships and instead went to define her title in New York. But she has since gotten over it and believes, given another chance, she will take the challenge in her stride.
Keitany was primed to win a medal at the Olympics eight years ago, but finished fourth in London in 2012.
"I had at one time lost interest in representing Kenya after I was overlooked in 2016. But I believe the Olympic medal, which is missing in my collection is worth fighting for despite Kenya having very strong young women ticking in all areas," said Keitany.
World marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei leads a batch of young athletes aiming to make a mark on the ultimate stage in Tokyo. Kosgei, who is also the Chicago and London marathons champion, holds the world mark at 2:14.04.
Keitany, though is still the third fastest marathon runner, having posted the third fastest time ever of 2:17:01 in the London marathon in 2017, which was a world record for women only marathon.
London marathon silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot, former Paris marathon champion Betsy Saina, 2018 Berlin marathon champion Gladys Cherono and Visiline Jepkesho are some of the top names aiming for a slot in the Kenya team.
