Long-distance runner Kavita Raut confident of booking Olympic berth

Appearances can be deceptive — this saying aptly describes India’s ace long-distance runner Kavita Raut. Petite and reserved, this 26-year-old town girl from Nashik is confident of booking a berth for the London Olympics.

Raut stunned everyone last year by winning a bronze (10,000m) at the Delhi Commonwealth Games and another silver (10,000m) and bronze (5,000m) in the Asian Games at Guangzhou. Fresh from her victory in the 51st National Open Athletics Championships in Kolkata, Raut, who was in the city to promote the Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon, says that she is 90 per cent sure of qualifying.

“Olympics is similar to the Commonwealth Games, just that Kenya comes in for Ethiopia. I am 90 per cent confident, the 10 per cent - I will have to put in my efforts. It also depends on how we perform on that given day. And yes, we need to get lucky as well,” she says meekly.

In order to boost her preparation, Raut, who is currently at the India camp in Bangalore, says that they have approached the Athletics Federation of India to undergo high-altitude training in Kenya.

She says, “This training will help in our preparation for the Olympics. The federation has been supportive and discussions are on to send four athletes including Preeja Sreedharan, Sudha Singh, OP Jaisha and I. It would benefit us if it is held for at least a month or two. It would be a great way to prepare ahead of the mega event.

“We had undergone a similar training in Ooty before the CWG, for a period of six months. Training at such high altitudes helps long-distance runners as the amount of oxygen is less there and it expands the lung capacity,” she says.

On her chances of making it to the London 2012, Raut feels that they will have their best chance to qualify in November-December. “During the year end, we will get more opportunities due to the various invitational meets across the world. I am sure Preeja and I will make the cut,” she says.

Raut also says she can close in on the 30-minute mark in 10,000m. “Before going to the Asian Games, I never thought I could clock 31:51.44. My performance there has done wonders to my confidence and I am sure I can go beyond the mark in the qualifiers and the Olympics itself.”

For the 10,000m, the qualifying marks are 32:10 (B standard) and 31:15 (A standard) and for the 5,000m, it is 15:25 and 15:15 respectively. Having clocked 15.16 in the Asian Games, Raut says attaining that mark will not be very difficult.

Raut’s coach, Vijendra Singh, however, feels that the best time to qualify would be around March. “An athlete peaks only once in a particular season. Peaking twice usually doesn’t happen. So, if Kavita is able to hit top form around March and qualify, then she will be able to carry the momentum to the Olympics as well. I am very sure she will take part in the Olympics but cannot say so about winning a medal,” he adds.

When asked about the doping scandal that rocked Indian athletics, Raut says that it came as a shocker to them.

“I was really shocked when I got to hear about the doping scandal. As long-distance runners, we don’t take food supplements, only natural food. We do not take tablets or go to the doctor unless our condition is serious.

“Our coach Nicolai Sensere, who was with us from 2006, insisted that we took more liquid food to improve the stamina and avoid any kind of supplements. So, thankfully, we did not get into trouble,” she says.