Kenya-based Cleveland Forde eyes Beijing Olympics, London Games

National men's 5000-metre record holder Cleveland Forde has his eyes set on representing Guyana at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and setting a standard for the 2012 London Games.

"I'm just looking at making the qualifying time for the Beijing Olympics next year and setting a standard that even if I don't win a medal there (Beijing), I hope to just make the standard for the 2012 Olympics in England," the 22-year-old told Stabroek Sport in an exclusive interview.

The Kenya-based athlete, who is currently benefiting from an Olympic Solidarity-funded scholarship leading up to the 2008 Olympics, said when the current scholarship was up, he hoped the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) would see it fit to secure another scholarship for him that would lead up to the 2012 London Games.

"After Beijing, I hope the GOA might see it fit to get me another scholarship. What they (GOA) have done for me so far has really helped me. I wanted to get to world standard and I'm going to try and make the Beijing qualifying time so that I can represent Guyana to get the recognition it deserves," Forde stressed.

The Mabaruma (Region One) born son of the soil who has been at the Kip Keino High Altitude Training Centre in Kenya for over two years, said training at the world famous facility had boosted his career despite his poor showing at the just-concluded 15th Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"I was not too well in Rio and I hope the GOA understands what went on. There were GOA executives there and they knew that I was not well, so I hope they understand.

"My performance at the Pan Am was not so good at all and not as close to what I'm capable of, but that's how it is sometimes.

"Yes I'm disappointed, but I have to find a way to move forward," he added.

Forde placed 11th of 13 runners in the men's 5000-metre event and 10th of 11 competitors in the men's 10,000-metre race.

Asked what he would do if the GOA were unsuccessful in securing a further four-year scholarship for him, Forde replied: "My plans after 2008, if I don't get another scholarship through the GOA, I will have to adapt to the situation and hope to be flexible, probably work in Guyana."

Asked what his training programme had been like since arriving in Kenya more than two years ago, Forde said he trains once per day (three hours) six days per week and does fortlex (run probably two minutes rest one minute continuously). He explained that his coach would usually give him a programme for the week to work with which inspires him to look forward to the next day's schedule.

"Coach Simba (Kenyan) has been great and though he never represented Kenya he has turned out world class athletes.

"I think his coaching is great, his philosophy and his approach to the job are excellent. He keeps stressing that discipline and patience are the keys to success. He tells you don't try to push things to happen, let it flow. If you try to push, you come down as fast or even faster than you got there and I have learnt that discipline is a way of life. If he says rest and you want to party you will go nowhere. Rest is a part of the training."

Asked how he has adapted to the food in Kenya, the national men's 1500-metre and South American 5000-metre medalist said getting accustomed to the food at first was a bit difficult and he resorted to eating bread alone, but in the long run he had to get used to eating what was served.

"I made up my mind and got used to it, and now I can handle the food. Sometimes sour milk which they call Maziwa Laha or sleeping milk. They say it gives the stomach work to clean you out."

He said since he had been there, he had not only been working on his athletic career, but his academic career as well.

"My first year there was just like grooving into the way of life in Kenya and their methods of training and competition and during the second year I got used to their culture and started to speak the language while training."

In 2005 Forde began an academic programme in management of information systems which he explained had to do with computer information (computer science).

"I started this course in July 2005 and did my first exams in June 2006. I got passes in all the subject areas but in December last year I failed two tests and did them over this year and am hoping for passes when the results come out next month.

"When I failed, I had underestimated the exams, I took them for granted and paid the price, but now I'm more serious."

Forde expressed his gratitude to coach Simba, who he said had been great to him. "He explained certain things in life and I listened to him attentively and am still learning. I would also like to thank coach Joseph N'June for his patience and understanding and most importantly the GOA and all other locals who have contributed in some way or the other to the little success that I have achieved to date."