Eliud Kipchoge Struggles at Paris Olympic Marathon, Ending Bid for Third Gold
Kenya’s marathon icon, Eliud Kipchoge, experienced a heartbreaking finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, dashing his hopes for a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal. The world watched in shock as Kipchoge, a legend in marathon running, struggled to keep pace in the early stages of the race, ultimately missing his chance to etch his name further into Olympic history.
The race concluded with Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola crossing the finish line in a record-breaking 2:06.26, securing Ethiopia’s first gold of the Games. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi claimed silver, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto took bronze with a time of 2:07:00.
Kipchoge, who led a strong group of 14 athletes at the start, saw his quest for an unprecedented third gold unravel as he fell behind just halfway through the marathon. By the 25-kilometer mark, the two-time Olympic champion found himself in 63rd place, a position no one anticipated for a runner of his caliber.
Despite bringing an extraordinary personal best of 2:01:09 to the race, Kipchoge’s performance at the Paris Olympics fell short of securing the elusive third gold, a feat that remains unachieved in Olympic marathon history.
Read Also: Beatrice Chebet Wins 10,000m at Paris Olympics, Makes Historic Victory
Though this outcome was a setback, Kipchoge’s career is still celebrated for its remarkable achievements, including 12 major marathon victories between 2014 and 2023, along with numerous prestigious awards.
Kipchoge’s victories in Berlin, London, and the World Championships solidified his status as one of the greatest marathoners ever. However, the fierce competition and the intense Paris heat proved too much on this occasion.
As the focus shifted from Kipchoge, attention turned to Kenya’s other stars, particularly Beatrice Chebet. The 24-year-old athlete shone in the women’s 10,000m, securing gold with a time of 30 minutes and 43.25 seconds.
Chebet’s victory was a significant moment for Kenya, adding another gold to the nation’s tally, which now stands at six medals: two gold, one silver, and three bronze.
Her triumph in Paris followed her earlier gold in the 5,000m, making her one of Kenya’s standout performers at the Games. “This 10,000m gold medal is the most important medal in my life,” Chebet remarked, underscoring her determination and focus throughout the competition.
While Chebet’s success brought joy to Kenya, Kipchoge’s performance sparked conversations about whether the time has come for him to step away from competitive marathon running.
Kipchoge’s illustrious career, decorated with numerous accolades such as the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports and the BBC World Sport Star of the Year, has not only inspired countless athletes but also raised the global profile of marathon running.
With fierce competitors like Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto in the mix, the race for Olympic glory was more intense than ever, making Kipchoge’s challenge even more daunting.
