Javelin star Yego dusts his equipment to return to action after corona break

Reigning Olympics javelin silver medallist Julius Yego has resumed training after close to three months of inactivity.

Yego was in top form before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and was eager to kick-start his season last April with the Diamond League series.

However, the situation occasioned by the virus forced him to retreat to his home in Eldoret where he could only manage home workout sessions to stay fit.

“When I travelled to Eldoret, I left my javelins in Nairobi before the capital city was locked down. I was, however, able to have them delivered in Eldoret recently.

I then talked to the county government and was allowed to train at the Eldoret Sports Club.

I have been throwing for the last three weeks now,” Yego said in an interview.

In a previous interview with People Sport, the ‘YouTube Man’ had expressed his concerns about the unavailability of the Kipchoge Keino stadium, which has been closed to undergo renovations and was hesitant to use the readily available Moi University’s School of Law grounds as the surface was uneven and poised an injury threat or damage to his javelins.

Instead, he resorted to working out at home to stay lean, fit and work on his speed and agility.

With gymnasiums also closed, or those open considered unsafe due to the risk of Covid-19, he was unable to work on reactive exercises too.

“I am able to resume training now, but I have to be very careful not to damage my equipment or pick injuries during the process.

Lack of a tartan track also means there are exercises I cannot carry out at the moment. The other challenge has been the constant rains here in Eldoret.

I have to look for periods where the rains subsides to be able to train,” said the former World Champion.

Meanwhile, Yego is uncertain of the competition that will kick-start his season as he says many countries are yet to open up for athletes. Additionally, he need time to get back to competitive shape.

The diamond league begun in June with the Oslo ‘Impossible Games’. Yesterday, the second leg of the games was held in Zurich.

The innovative ‘Inspirational Games’ was organised by Weltklasse Zurich in place of the traditional Wanda Diamond League meeting.