President William Ruto recently took a moment to celebrate Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, despite the challenges he faced in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kipchoge’s race came to an unexpected end at the 30km mark due to sharp pain in his waist, preventing him from finishing the marathon.
Many fans and supporters were disappointed, but President Ruto made it clear that Kipchoge’s achievements far outweigh any single race outcome.
The President highlighted the importance of supporting and embracing athletes, urging Kenyans to appreciate their efforts rather than criticize them.
He described Kipchoge as a “limitless” man and a great ambassador for Kenya.
In Paris, Kipchoge had hoped to make history by becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic marathon titles, following his victories in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
However, after the unexpected setback, Kipchoge remains optimistic and focused on the future.
Kipchoge emphasized that the Olympics is about more than just winning medals.
He also expressed gratitude to his fans both in Kenya and around the world for their continued support throughout his career.
Eliud Kipchoge’s career is nothing short of remarkable.
In addition to his Olympic successes, he has won five Berlin Marathon titles, four London Marathon titles, as well as the Tokyo and Chicago Marathons.
He also holds Olympic silver and bronze medals in the 5,000 meters from the 2008 Beijing and 2004 Athens Games, respectively.
Thus President Ruto’s message was that while the race in Paris didn’t go as planned, Eliud Kipchoge’s legacy as a Kenyan sports icon remains intact, and his contribution to the nation will always be celebrated.