Yago Rojo: “It will be special to be with Kipchoge in the Games marathon”

Red Iago will live “a magical moment” with your Olympic debut on August 10 in the marathon at the Paris Games. His mark in Valencia of 2h07:47 allowed him to fulfill a dream and enjoy a challenge that motivates him and that will be “special” in to share the starting line with the best in the world, including Kenyan Eliud Kipchogean athlete who “marked an era.”

Yago Rojo (Madrid, 1995), hoka athleteis on August 10 in the marathon at the Paris Olympic Games. His time of 2h07:47 in Valencia, on December 3, 2023, he was allowed achieve the lowest score and be selected to go to the French city with the Spanish marathon team which also includes Tariku Novales, Ibrahim Chakir, Ester Navarrete, Meritxell Soler and Majida Mayouf.

“I had hope because of the weather in Valencia but Until you actually see yourself on the list you won’t believe it.. I am very happy because I will live a magical moment and I will remember it for the rest of my life. This is an award for a lifetime dedicated to athletics“, said the Madrid athlete.

In the Spanish marathon team in Paris, all are debutants, Nothing repeats itself in Tokyo 2020.

“We are debuting at the Games, but We are a very strong team, although very young. It can be team led Tariku Novales (Spanish record holder with 2h05:48). I think if he is smart and comes in perfect shape he can fight for a very good position. Chakir and I, as a tough circuit, if we can get to the best conditions, I think we can also achieve a good result,” he declared.

Naa Eliud Kipchoge, the double Olympic marathon champion, is at the starting line of the Olympic marathon.and maybe also Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, double Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 and one in the 5,000.

“With Bekele I have shared an introduction with Valencia but I have not done so with Kipchoge. It’s a reference and that’s why “It will be special to have him in the Games marathon with the best.”pointed out Yago Rojo, who a few years ago would have been unimaginable enjoying the possibility of competing in the Games.

“Being in the Games was something that I never saw myself capable of achieving, especially in distances like the 10,000m, which is the most difficult event to qualify for only 27 runs. I always joke that if I go to the Games, After I participate I will stop running because this is what I am looking forward to the most.. Obviously I won’t. Being at the Games is the tip of the iceberg,” he declared.

The roadmap for preparing for the Games is more or less clear. First the Spanish ten kilometer championship on April 6 in Crevillente and then the European half marathon in Rome in June. “I think those two tests for sure and maybe also some of the races they take you to compete in.”

“After the ten kilometer Spanish Championship I want to take a few days to do alternative sports, get some air, and focus well for May, June and July, which are the most important months,” he confessed.

His presence at the Paris Games is a big illusion for his family and loved ones. “My parents are very happy, my aunts are excited, and generally they all thank me for letting them share this because they’ve seen all the work there since I started when I was fourteen .”

Which is not on the asphalt of Paris is also the marathon runner Laura Luengo, Yago’s partnerwho did not enter the federation’s call-up list and has a record of 2h25:35 in the last Valencia marathon.

“It would have been the perfect circle for her to be there but in 2021, also having the minimum, I was left out and I managed to get in a few years later. The important thing is that I was there because If the years go by and you stay in the good times, the reward will come.. “I believe that he will be with Los Angeles in 2028 and I hope that he will reach it,” he concluded.