Paris Olympic Games 2024: Kenya star Eliud Kipchoge selected in final marathon squad, targets history
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Updated 01/05/2024 at 13:44 GMT
Eliud Kipchoge has been confirmed as one of Kenya’s six marathon runners for the Paris Olympics, as he aims to become the first to win three titles in the race. Three-time major marathon champion Hellen Obiri has also been announced as one of three women in the squad, which includes Tokyo gold medallist Peres Jepchirchir, setting up a mouthwatering race with Sifan Hassan.
‘The greatest of all time’ – Kipchoge cements legacy with Olympic double
Eliud Kipchoge will attempt to become the first athlete to win three Olympic marathon titles after the former world record holder was confirmed in Kenya’s team for Paris 2024.
The 39-year-old had an underwhelming start to his year by finishing 10th at the Tokyo Marathon, his worst performance over 26.2 miles.
But Kipchoge has shown form in the past year, winning September’s Berlin Marathon in 2:02:42 - the third quickest time of 2023. He will attempt to add to his triumphs at Rio 2016 and the Covid-delayed Tokyo 2020 when he competes at a fifth Games, having made his debut as a 5000m bronze medallist at Athens 2004.
Kipchoge is joined in the men’s team by 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, a former winner of both Boston and New York events, as well as Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who claimed his first major victory in London last month.
The women’s team is led by reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, who became the women’s only world record holder by winning the London Marathon, but it is Hellen Obiri’s selection which may be the most intriguing.
Obiri has made an impressive step up to marathon level, winning back-to-back titles in Boston and taking victory in New York in November, with the double track world champion using her finishing speed to take apart the rest of the field.
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Obiri secures back-to-back wins at Boston Marathon
It means an intriguing rivalry with the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan is likely to be resumed, which could be one of the highlights of the athletics programme in Paris.
Hassan beat Obiri to 5000m gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago and has also made a big impression on the marathon circuit, winning in London and Chicago last year before a more humbling fourth place in Tokyo in March.
A stellar line-up is completed by former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, who is beginning to return to form after injury forced her out of the London Marathon last year having barely run 200m.
Kosgei won the Abu Dhabi Marathon at the end of last year and followed that up with a fifth place finish in London.
2022 New York champion Sharon Lokedi will be the first reserve for the women, with Timothy Kiplagat, who finished second in Tokyo, taking that position for the men. Ruth Chepngetich, Rosemary Wanjiru and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who were all on the original shortlist, miss out completely, as does Evans Chebet.
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Kipchoge’s biggest threat could come from within his own team, though Ethiopia’s Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma will also go off as one of the favourites.
Women’s world record holder Tigst Assefa and world champion Amane Beriso will also be involved for Ethiopia, in a stacked field.
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