Eliud Kipchoge’s Heartbreak at the Olympics

Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary Kenyan marathon runner, faced a tough and disappointing day at the Olympics as he dropped out of the men’s marathon race. This marks a rare moment for Kipchoge, who has previously won two Olympic marathons and has never failed to finish a race in his career.

Feeling down yet keeping his spirits high, Kipchoge acknowledged the challenge he faced. “It is a difficult time for me,” he mentioned after struggling with discomfort around his waist and ultimately stopping just after the 30km mark.

This was undoubtedly Kipchoge’s worst marathon experience. He reflected, “I have never done a DNF (did not finish). That’s life. It’s like a boxer; sometimes you get knocked down but you get back up again.” That resilience has been a hallmark of his astonishing career.

When asked about future Olympic races, he was clear: “You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run.” He hinted at a need for reflection and exploration beyond just marathon running.

Despite the setback, Kipchoge remains a giant in the running world. He holds the distinction of being the only man to win the Olympic marathon twice, achieving victories in Rio and Tokyo. However, on this day in Paris, the marathon proved to be a challenge too great.

His journey took a twist after he began the race in good form, running alongside the lead pack. But as the notoriously tough hills came into play, things became more difficult. By the time he reached the 30km mark, Kipchoge found himself considerably behind the leading runners.

He described the moments following his decision to stop, sharing that he walked alongside a crowd of people for about 2 kilometers. “That’s why I don’t have my shirt, the socks, the shoes, the race number,” he said, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the day.

Kipchoge cited pain as the reason for his withdrawal from the race. He explained it wasn’t simply the challenging course that got to him, but rather an injury causing him to halt his run.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kipchoge has rewritten the records, once again shining a light on his incredible achievements. He set the world record twice in Berlin and even completed a marathon in under 2 hours—an ultra-ambitious feat achieved in a non-record-eligible event in Vienna.

Despite this setback, Kipchoge’s legacy is cemented, although he has faced challenges lately, including the tragic passing of fellow runner Kiptum. He has bravely addressed the online scrutiny that followed after this incident, revealing how deeply it affected him.

With his impressive track record, including two Olympic medals in the 5,000 meters, Kipchoge’s future remains uncertain, but he doesn’t appear ready to hang up his racing shoes just yet. He shared his thoughts on evolving beyond the current chapter of his running journey, leaving options open for the future.