April aiming for a place on the podium in Rio
‘ I am not going there for a top-10 finish, I am going there to get a medal
NELSON Mandela Bay marathon runner Lusapho April says he will not be making up the numbers at the Rio Olympics, but will be chasing gold.
The Games start this weekend but April’s event takes place on August 21.
The Uitenhage star is determined to dramatically improve on his effort at the London Olympics in 2012, where he placed 43rd.
April, who will be competing with fellow South African marathon runners, including Stephen Mokoka, Sibusiso Nzima and Lungile Gongqa, said he could not wait to spring into action in Rio de Janeiro.
“You know Brazil and the festivities there . . . I am hoping we will have a good race.
“It’s a championship race so anyone stands a good chance of winning. So I am not worried about the other competitors.
“I am only worried about myself, what I will do on the day of the race, and how my body responds on the day.”
The 34-year-old won the Hanover Marathon in Germany for the third time this year, following victories there in 2011 and 2013.
Although people will be expecting much from him in Rio, April said he was not under any pressure to perform well.
“I know what I am capable of,” he said.
“What matters to me the most is the fact that I will give it my best. If my best ends up being a medal, that is good for me and the country.
“Even if I finish in 10th place, I will still be happy.
“But I am not going there for a top-10 finish, I am going there to get a medal. But if things don’t go according to my plan, and something else comes up, I will have to accept the consequences of that.”
The two-time Two Oceans Marathon winner took part in the Nelson Mandela Bay South African Half Marathon on Saturday, which was his final event before Rio.
Despite finishing in eighth place, April said he was happy with his performance.
“The preparations are going well. I am healthy and injuryfree. This was the final race before the big one.
“I wanted to win but things did not go according to plan. The Kenyan guy who won made the race so tough for us.
“I did not think I was going to run hard from the start. But I am happy with my overall performance. It shows I am ready for Rio because I [finished in] 62 minutes.
“I just need to do that in the second half of the race in Rio. Then I will definitely do well.”
April leaves for Brazil next Tuesday.