"I know I’m the best 1500m runner in the world" - Jakob Ingebrigtsen rival Josh Kerr confident ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

The reigning 1500m world champion middle distance runner Josh Kerr expressed confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, stating that he is the best 1500m runner in the world and that he just needs to execute the same strategies he uses every year.

Kerr has had an impressive 2024 season so far, as he broke Steve Cram's 39-year-old national record in the 1500m event during his race at the Eugene Diamond League in May. Kerr defeated his Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen in a world-leading time of three minutes, 45.34 seconds. Additionally, in March, Kerr won the 3000m world indoor championship title. He won the race in 7:42.98, defeating Yared Nuguse of the USA.

The 26-year-old athlete is now gearing up to participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, starting on July 26. He will be representing Great Britain in his marquee 1500m event while looking for Tokyo Olympics redemption, where he had to settle for a third-place finish in the 1500m finals.

Just ahead of his big outing in the French capital, Josh Kerr shared his plans for the Olympics, and stated that he just needs to adhere to his usual tactics more rigorously than before.

"I know I’m the best 1500m runner in the world, so it is just executing a plan of what I do every year. It’s following a blueprint a bit more than before when I was trying to figure out what that blueprint was," said Kerr about his plans for the Paris Olympics (via Athletics Weekly).

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Josh Kerr reveals how he is handling the pressure of the Olympics

World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 - Day Two (Source: GETTY)

Josh Kerr's qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024 was not a bed of roses. He fell during the trials of the 800m event, causing him to miss out on qualifying for the distance. He only managed to secure an Olympic ticket in the 1500m event, based on his 2023 World Championship victory.

Despite the pressure of performing on the biggest stage, the Scottish runner has plans in place to handle the pressure of the Olympics. Speaking about this, he said (via Athletics Weekly):

"I am feeling very calm. I think everything is going the way that I want it to go and the stuff that is within my control is extremely well. I’m excited to continue to put this story together."

He added that experiencing pressure on such a grand stage is a "privilege" and that he has earned that pressure through his performances over the years.