Eliud Kipchoge: ‘Longevity is the key to every sportsman or sportsman’
The fastest marathoner alive continues to relish the beauty of being uncomfortable. It has helped him chase milestones once deemed impossible, like completing a marathon in under two hours.
And as he returns to the French capital where he first rose to fame, Kipchoge has all the right motivation necessary for a memorable performance.
“Paris is special for me, first is that that’s where my life started – 2003 when I just won my first global medal in 5000m. And secondly, I’ll be celebrating more than two decades in running,” he said.
“It’s really funny to know that somebody was born in 2003 when I was winning a gold medal, and I am here with them at this time,” said the nearly 40-year-old which makes him one of the oldest and most experienced entrants in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, alongside his long-time rival Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele and Swiss naturalised runner Tadese Abraham who are both 42.
“I’m happy to see them, happy to tell the story for the last 20 years, and my story will be easy, because they will work on what I’m doing and also try to spend another 20 years in their lives in sport.”
Kipchoge is looking to cement his legacy as the first athlete to win an Olympic marathon three times when he competes at his fifth Games since winning 5000m bronze on debut Athens 2004. He remains driven by passion for the sport, but also making a difference.
“I trust I will win that gold medal in Paris,” he told Olympics.com, speaking slowly but firmly, brushing any worries.
“I’ll be the happiest man in the universe, and it will really open to the world that no human is limited and what to put in your heart and mind, one day you’ll actually be open.”
