Eliud Kipchoge, a former world record holder in the marathon, will be attempting to make history by winning his third Olympic marathon title at the Paris 2024 Games. Despite a disappointing performance earlier in the year, Kipchoge has shown strong form by winning the Berlin Marathon with an impressive time of 2:02:42. He will be competing in his fifth Olympic Games, having previously won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Joining Kipchoge in the Kenyan men’s team are Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso Munyao, both accomplished marathon runners in their own right.
Another standout athlete on the Kenyan team is Hellen Obiri, who has made a successful transition to the marathon level. Obiri recently won the Boston Marathon and followed it up with a victory in New York, showcasing her finishing speed and dominance in the field. This sets the stage for a potentially thrilling rivalry with the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who bested Obiri in the 5000m at the Tokyo Olympics. Hassan has also had success in the marathon circuit, including wins in London and Chicago, making the competition in Paris even more exciting.
The women’s team is further bolstered by the presence of former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, who has been making a strong comeback after injury setbacks. Despite having to withdraw from the London Marathon last year, Kosgei won the Abu Dhabi Marathon and secured a fifth-place finish in London. The team also includes Sharon Lokedi as the first reserve, with a strong lineup of athletes such as Timothy Kiplagat poised to deliver top performances.
In addition to the Kenyan contingent, Ethiopia will field a formidable team led by Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma and women’s world record holder Tigst Assefa. Amane Beriso, the world champion, will also be competing in Paris, adding to the competitive field. Kipchoge may face tough competition from his own teammates as well as these Ethiopian athletes, promising an intense and thrilling marathon event at the upcoming Games.
The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics promise to feature some of the best marathon runners in the world, with Kipchoge leading the charge for the Kenyan team. The rivalry between Kipchoge, Obiri, and their competitors from Ethiopia and the Netherlands is expected to be one of the highlights of the athletics programme. Fans can watch all the action unfold on discovery+, the official streaming platform for the Olympic Games, ensuring they don’t miss a moment of the exciting marathon events and other competitions in Paris this summer.
