Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has announced his next move after suffering a defeat in the men’s marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kipchoge withdrew from the men’s 10,000-meter race just after the 30km mark, where he was in 71st place, trailing by more than eight minutes.
While addressing the press, the legendary marathoner dispelled retirement rumors and confirmed that he will participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The 39-year-old expressed his intention to inspire hope and optimism through his continued Olympic journey.
This is contrary to reports that the legend will not compete in any other Olympic Games after a surprising and disappointing performance at Paris 2024.
“As an athlete, I will be at the Olympics (2028 Los Angeles Olympics) in another capacity to inspire hope and optimism not just in my country and continent, but across the entire world,” Kipchoge said.
Double Olympic Champion Speaks on His Paris Performance
He emphasized that participation in world competitions is crucial, and that fans often mistakenly equate participation with winning medals.
The marathoner explained that while the number of participants adds value to competition, winning medals adds merit to the individual competitor.
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Kipchoge earlier said that the marathon race on Saturday, August 10, was one of the worst performances of his sports career.
“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,” he said.
In the leading group after 19 kilometers, Kipchoge fell back, showing visible signs of discomfort as he clutched the left side of his stomach and upper hip.
In videos seen by The Kenya Times, Kipchoge, while in the crowd, handed over his shoes, bib, and socks to supporters, receiving a rapturous reception. He sat in the 63rd place after the first 25km.
He was aiming for his third gold medal at the Olympics after winning in Rio in 2016 and at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
“I want to go into history books, to be the first human being to win back-to-back-to-back,” he said at a past interview.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge Suffers Defeat as Kenya Falls Short of Marathon Gold
New Champion Dethrones Kipchoge
Ethiopian Tamirat Tola delivered a masterclass to win the Olympic men’s marathon in Paris by clocking an Olympic record time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds to secure the victory.
He dethroned Kipchoge who was the defending champion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and ended his ambitious attempt at a third consecutive win.
The Kenyan marathon legend no longer holds the world record over 26.2 miles (42.195km), as his mark was bettered by the late Kelvin Kiptum last October.
Bashir Abdi of Belgium upgraded his Tokyo 2020 bronze to Paris silver at a person best of 2:06:47.
Benson Kipruto who went to Paris as the fastest among all athletes in the race has secured a bronze medal after finishing third in 2:07:00.
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