Andrés Olivas prepares for the World Cup

Andrés Olivas, a Mexican race walker ranked eighth in the world for the 35-kilometer race, is preparing to compete in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, August 13-21.

His coach, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, stated that the Chihuahua native will arrive "at his best."

Last March, he debuted in the event with a Mexican record of 2:25:08. "It's a time that could be improved because he ran it in adverse weather conditions, with rain and cold," said Rodríguez, a bronze medalist in 1997.

The 27-year-old athlete is participating in an altitude training camp in Creel, Chihuahua, at 2,400 meters above sea level. There, he will combine mountain training with speed sessions, accumulating between 160 and 180 kilometers per week.

"I'm seeing Andrés doing very well. At 27, his organs are firmer, his muscles are stronger, and so is his mentality," his coach emphasized.

Olivas will have the support of Horacio Nava, runner-up in the 2010 World Cup, who will assist him technically and mentally.