Eliud Kipchoge’s Paris Dream Shattered: Kenya Snags Bronze
Kenya’s marathon icon, Eliud Kipchoge, saw his quest for a historic third consecutive Olympic gold vanish at the Paris 2024 Games, leaving fans and fellow athletes in disbelief as he did not complete the race.
Kipchoge, renowned for his exceptional marathon feats over the years, fell out of the race’s contention in its early stages, missing an opportunity to further immortalize his legacy in Olympic history.
Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola secured the Olympic gold with a record-breaking time of 2:06:26, marking his country’s first gold of the Games. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi claimed silver, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto earned bronze with a time of 2:07:00 in his Olympic debut.
The marathon, a true test of endurance, began with Kipchoge among a strong group of 14 elite athletes. However, the 39-year-old’s pursuit of glory was cut short as he lost momentum at the halfway point, dropping to 63rd place with 25 kilometers remaining.
After struggling to keep pace, Kipchoge eventually withdrew from the race, signaling what many believe could be the end of his illustrious Olympic journey. The athlete, often hailed as the ‘Greatest of All Time,’ fell behind after 31 kilometers.
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Despite entering the race with an impressive personal best of 2:01:09, Kipchoge’s effort fell short of securing a third consecutive gold, a rare Olympic feat that remains unattained.
Kipchoge’s challenging performance in Paris does not overshadow a career filled with remarkable achievements, including victories in 12 major marathons from 2014 to 2023 and numerous prestigious accolades.
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His wins in Berlin, London, and at the World Championships solidified his status as one of the greatest marathoners in history. However, the intense Paris heat and fierce competition proved to be too much this time.
As Kipchoge faced an unexpected outcome, attention shifted to Kenya’s other athletes, particularly Beatrice Chebet, who shone in the women’s 10,000m, claiming gold with a time of 30:43.25.
Chebet’s triumph was a significant moment for Kenya, contributing another gold to the nation’s medal count, which now stands at seven: two gold, one silver, and four bronze.
Following her earlier gold in the 5,000m, Chebet declared the 10,000m victory as the most significant achievement of her life. “I came here targeting the 10,000m gold medal, not the 5,000m,” she said, underscoring her determination and focus throughout the Games.
While Chebet’s success offered a bright spot for Kenya, Kipchoge’s performance sparked discussions about whether it was time for him to retire from competitive marathon running.
Kipchoge’s storied career, highlighted by numerous honors including the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports and the BBC World Sport Star of the Year, has inspired countless athletes and raised the profile of marathon running globally.
Kenya still holds hope for more Olympic medals as Faith Kipyegon, another Kenyan star, is poised to potentially become the first athlete to win gold in the same discipline three times in a row as she defends her 1,500-meter title later on Saturday.
Eliud Kipchoge’s Paris Dream Shattered: Kenya Snags Bronze
