For the previous decade, Eliud Kipchoge has been a dominant power within the marathon, profitable 14 out of the 17 races he’s participated in. The double Olympic champion and now former quickest man persistently set the usual for the gap, till Oct. 8. On that day, his Kenyan compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum, rewrote the historical past books by shattering Kipchoge’s world report on the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Whereas followers internationally marvelled at Kiptum’s new report of two:00:35, Kipchoge remained silent. He didn’t publicly acknowledge it till two weeks after the race, throughout a press convention on the 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports activities in Oviedo, Spain.
Kipchoge’s feedback about Kiptum had been in response to a reporter’s query after he obtained an award for his accomplishments as a runner and his exceptional contributions by means of his basis, which focuses on selling training and environmental safety.
“I used to be not shocked about (Kiptum) breaking the world report,” Kipchoge mentioned. “I look ahead to seeing data being damaged as a result of I’ve proven them the way in which.”
Kipchoge’s two-week silence and determination to not publicly congratulate Kiptum sparked heated discussions on-line, with some followers labelling the marathon legend as ‘unsportsmanlike.’ The 38-year-old additionally expressed his pleasure a few potential showdown with Kiptum on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kipchoge goals to turn into the primary man to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals within the marathon occasion, whereas Kiptum hopes to win his first.
Kiptum, alternatively, had excessive reward for Kipchoge after his record-breaking run in Chicago. “In fact, Eliud is the GOAT; he has achieved so much, and we maintain him in excessive regard, following his footsteps,” mentioned Kiptum.
The brand new marathon world report holder will face a tricky determination if he desires to race for Olympic gold or chase the world report on the 2024 Berlin Marathon, which is lower than six weeks after the Olympic marathon in Paris.
Though Kipchoge might not maintain the marathon report, he stays decided to proceed making historical past and encourage the subsequent era transferring ahead.
