FEATURE: Chelimo Pumped For Olympic Moment

Paul Chelimo was greeted by the high-pitched cooing of his 2-year-old daughter, Ariana, after arriving home from a recent training session. 

The 2014 UNC Greensboro graduate was in the process of packing his bags and getting ready to leave for the Tokyo Olympics. Only Ariana was not yet ready to share her dad.

On Tuesday, August 3rd in the preliminary rounds of the 5,000-meter run at 7 a.m. Eastern Time, Ariana will no doubt be watching Chelimo along with the rest of the world.

 “She’s the reason why I work hard,” said Chelimo, who won the Olympic silver medal in the 5,000-meter run in Rio in 2016. “I run for my family and myself.”

Yet, the 30-year-old Chelimo will be competing with a heavy heart. However, he’s comforted in knowing that his brother, Alberto, who died in April, will be watching his every stride, and providing inspirational fuel from above. 

“I do everything for him at this point,” said Chelimo, who resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. “I try to do my best and do it for him. He was my biggest fan. He was always posting something about me (on social media). I know he’ll be with me.”

Even with his training regimen interrupted because of the few trips to Kenya, Chelimo persevered, conquered adversity, and enjoyed a triumphant return to competition. He won the 5,000-meter run at last month’s United States Olympic Trials at steamy Haywood Field on the University of Oregon’s campus. 

Chelimo crossed the finish line in 13 minutes, 26.82 seconds to earn his ticket to Tokyo. The fastest international time in the 5,000-meters this year belongs to Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway (12:48.45).

The Tokyo Games will be odd this year. Already postponed a year, there will be no fans at any of the events because of Japan’s state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the United States and in Kenya, Chelimo’s friends and family will be paying attention. Fans will be glued to their devices. More importantly, the UNCG community will be tuned in.

“I would have rather competed last year,” said Chelimo, when asked his reaction to the decision to move the Olympics back a year. “Sometimes, it’s life. Things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it. If you have a positive mindset then it will be all positive.”

 The foundation of Chelimo’s success was established at UNCG.

On the track, he is the most decorated runner in UNCG history. A two-time national runner-up in the 5,000-meters in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships, he also was a three-time Southern Conference cross country champion. 

In his academic pursuits in the School of Health and Human Sciences, he excelled, graduating cum laude as he pursued his passion in public health, spurred by his experiences of seeing public health challenges as he grew up in Kenya. He later earned the inaugural Spirit of the Spartan Award. Chelimo’s senior year culminated with an impactful internship as part of his public health program. 

Through the Church World Services in Greensboro, Chelimo helped transport refugee clients to doctors’ appointments and meetings with service providers. In work that was very meaningful for him, he was involved in translating, helping them get their groceries, and assisting them as they adapted to a new society. 

“Being an international student, UNCG was my home,” Chelimo said. “Kim Record and Stacy Kosciak were like parents to me. I feel that was the foundation for me in life and prepared me for where I am today. If I was still in Kenya, I don’t think I would be the great athlete that I am today.”

Some of the strategies and values learned at UNCG, like serving others and maximizing time resources, helped him as the Olympics were postponed a year. The wait allowed Chelimo additional chances to train harder and focus on his family. 

A focused Chelimo arrived in Japan on Monday, July 26 and the week ahead isn’t as intense as one would think when preparing for a major race. He did all the hard work already. It will be more about recovery from the training and long flight across the Pacific Ocean.

“I know a lot of people will be watching me on TV,” Chelimo said. “I have more fans watching all over the world. Running knowing that I have a lot of people supporting means so much to me."

Regardless of his performance in Tokyo, the sweet sounds of Ariana greeting Chelimo -- once he returns home -- will warm his spirit.

– UNCG--