Marathon legend and double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has broken his silence days after the burial of Marathon World Record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
Kipchoge on Friday, March 1, 2024, paid tribute to Kiptum after remaining silent since his condolence message to the family of the late Kiptum who died in a tragic car accident alongside his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.
The double Olympic champion was speaking during a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan ahead of the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.
Kipchoge who is preparing to compete in the Sunday Marathon, said that it was unfortunate how Kiptum passed on so soon.
“His career was in high spirits, and he was really running on a high level,” he said.
Kipchoge further said this year’s marathon at the Paris Olympics would be a little bit different following Kiptum’s death.
Kipchoge on Kiptum Olympics’ absence
“There were high expectations,” he added. The two had already been selected by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) among a provisional list of 20 marathoners.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge Mourns Kelvin Kiptum
On the other hand, the reigning Chicago Women Marathon winner Sifan Hassan said she was heartbroken by Kiptum’s death.
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Sifan shared the podium with Kiptum during the Chicago Marathon 2023 where they both broke records in their respective races.
The Dutch star was also speaking in Tokyo where she will be competing in the upcoming marathon.
“When he broke the world record in Chicago I shared it with him,” she reminisced.
“He was so young, and he was showing the world what was possible. It’s very hard,” she added.
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Kipchoge will be competing in his first marathon since his record winning moment at the BMW Berlin Marathon in 2023.
When asked about clinching gold at the Olympics, the 39-year-old said the prospect of a third gold medal was not yet on his mind.
“I normally work one by one; I treat every work individually. My training and focus were on Tokyo. Immediately after Tokyo, I will focus on another task,” he said.
His main challenge in this year’s race is expected to come from fellow Kenyan marathoners Timothy Kiplagat, Vincent Ngetich and Benson Kipruto.
Kenyans wondered why Kipchoge skipped Kiptum’s burial on February 23, 2024, in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
