Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge remains optimistic despite his disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKL show, he acknowledged his challenges but emphasized his determination to move forward.
Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, described the Paris race as his “worst marathon performance” but said he has embraced the experience and is learning from it.
He reflected,
“In sports, today you’re down, tomorrow you’re up. To enjoy sports, you must accept the outcome. I’ve accepted it, learned from it, and I’m still learning. I believe I’ll squeeze every drop of juice from that orange and keep moving forward.”
The great marathoner, who won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, was aiming for a historic third Olympic title in Paris.
However, he pulled out of the race around the 30 km mark due to a back injury. Kipchoge likened the marathon to life’s journey, saying,
“The road is long, with potholes and bumps. It’s like driving a car—you need to know when to brake and use the mirrors. Sports is education. Even in 2025, I’m still a student, and I’ll keep learning.”
Plans for 2025
While Kipchoge did not disclose his plans for 2025, he reiterated his commitment to improvement. “Every day in sports is a learning process. I’ll keep learning more in 2025,” he said.
Kipchoge also highlighted the importance of talent development and education in athletics. He praised the upcoming Chepsaita Great Run, set for this Saturday, as a step in the right direction.
“We need more events like this to uplift our sports. This one incorporates education, and that’s essential because sports and education go hand in hand,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Kipchoge expressed hope for Kenya’s sporting future. He emphasized the role of camps in nurturing young talent, urging proper guidance and accountability for participants.
“If camps can guide kids well and follow up—not just in running but all sports—we’ll go far. The future of sports in Kenya is bright if we act,” he concluded.
Follow https://kenyaonline.xyz
