Marathon icon has competition: is superstar Kipchoge’s Olympic participation in danger?

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Eliud Kipchoge (39) is the only person in the world to complete a marathon in less than two hours (under unofficial circumstances in Vienna in 2019). He ran twenty official marathons, sixteen of which he won. The last two Olympic races in Tokyo in 2021 and in Rio in 2016? Both won.

Now the Kenyan wants to crown his career with his third Olympic gold in a row in Paris in August. But what if several Kenyans are suddenly stronger than the running superstar – will he be called up at all?

Worst result of his career in March

Kipchoge has long exceeded the limit for the 2024 Olympic Games: when he won the Berlin Marathon last September, he set the third fastest time in the world in the qualifying period. But after the Tokyo Marathon in early March, there are concerns about the Kenyan star. Tenth place was the worst marathon placement of his career. Five compatriots were faster, the podium was entirely Kenyan – Kipchoge was more than 4.5 minutes away from victory.

“It’s not Christmas every day,” the 39-year-old said afterwards. As usual, Kenya is only allowed to send three marathon runners to the start of the Olympic Games. In addition to the defending champion, 72 fellow countrymen (!) have also crossed the border. The agony of choice. For comparison: Tadesse Abraham (41) is the only Swiss to have exceeded the limit of 2:08:10 hours (three times). Orientation champion Matthias Kyburz wants to make it on April 7 as a career changer.

The high status has remained

Speculations about whether Kipchoge will be allowed to participate at all, given the strong domestic competition, are expressed on specialized portals such as “Runner’s World”. An Olympic marathon without the running superstar with 2.5 million followers on Instagram would be missing a lot of sparkle – and a big smile. Kipchoge is known for deliberately putting it on again and again during the race.

Now Kenyan head coach Julius Kirwa extends a big hand to him. He told Pulse Sports Kenya on Monday: “We rely on him.” He should ignore the discussions about him. There’s a good chance the superstar will smile in Paris; the final selection in May will provide complete clarity.

Source : Blick