
ELIUD KIPCHOGE: World’s Legendary Marathoner Hangs Boots After Successful Career
After failing to win his third gold medal, Kenya’s marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has announced that he will not compete in any future Olympic Games following a surprising and disappointing performance in Paris 2024.
For the first time in his illustrious career, Kipchoge failed to complete a marathon race, shocking fans and sports enthusiasts all over the world.
The 39-year-old, who is well-known for his incredible marathon running achievements, was forced to withdraw from the race shortly after the 31-kilometer mark due to waist discomfort.
Kipchoge, who was chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold medal, was regarded as a formidable opponent.
Eliud Kipchoge dropped at 31k#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/UJkqtKOOp1 https://t.co/eTL2NA269c
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) August 10, 2024
However, his bid was thwarted when he fell out of contention in the marathon’s final stages.
Kipchoge’s exit from the race was accompanied by a moving reflection on his career.
He expressed his disappointment while remaining composed, acknowledging the conclusion of an important chapter in his life.
“It is a difficult time for me,” Kipchoge said, visibly emotional. “This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF (did not finish).
“That’s life. Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, I have come second, eighth, 10th, fifth – now I did not finish. That’s life.”
This is my worst marathon, I need to evolve and feature in other things – Eliud Kipchoge pic.twitter.com/qvHRXpuXY4
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) August 10, 2024
With his withdrawal, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola won the marathon in 2:06:26, a new Olympic record.
Belgium’s Bashit Abdi won silver, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, making his Olympic debut, took bronze in 2:07:00.
Kipchoge, who had run a personal best of 2:01:09, was part of a strong field of 14 athletes. However, his performance did not meet the high expectations that surrounded him.
Despite his impressive track record, which included two previous Olympic gold medals, his attempt to cement his legacy with a third gold fell short as he struggled to keep up and eventually dropped to 63rd place before withdrawing.
In a moving statement, Kipchoge revealed his future plans.
“You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run,” he stated.
“I don’t know what to do next. I need to go back [home], sit down, and try to figure out my 21 years of running at a high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things.”
Eliud Kipchoge says this was his worst performance ever in a marathon – the first time he has failed to finish. But such is sport
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) August 10, 2024
📸 @AllanDarren pic.twitter.com/6KpgleBPoA
Kipchoge won 11 major marathons between 2014 and 2023, including victories in Berlin (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023) and London (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019).
He also won two World Championship 5,000m medals—gold in 2003 and silver in 2007—and was a finalist three times.
In 2003, he won the 5,000m gold medal at the Stade de France in Paris, his first major global title.
Kipchoge is the most decorated marathoner, with awards including the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports (2023), the ANOC Best Male Athlete of Tokyo 2020 (2021), and the BBC World Sport Star of the Year (2019).
He was also awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (2019) and the Laureus Academy’s Exceptional Achievement Award.
Additional awards include IAAF Male Athlete of the Year (2018, 2019), Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022), and AIMS Best Male Marathon Runner (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018).
The announcement marks the end of an era for Kipchoge, whose legendary career has inspired countless athletes and runners.
His retirement from the Olympic competition marks the end of an extraordinary journey, leaving a lasting legacy around the world of marathons.
ELIUD KIPCHOGE: World’s Legendary Marathoner Hangs Boots After Successful Career