Olympic icon and former world record holder QUITS his event at 39 after he had to take a taxi to the finish line at Paris Games
- Eliud Kipchoge is considered one of the greatest marathoners of all time
- However, he was forced to take a taxi after abandoning his marathon at the Paris Games
- Now reports claim that the long-distance runner will take part in a new event
Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathoner, will take part in a new event – just months after taking a taxi to the finish of the Paris Games.
Under bizarre circumstances in August, tThe two-time Olympic gold medalist stopped to allow last-placed Ser-Od Bat-Ochir to overtake him after 31 kilometers.
He handed over his shoes and socks to fans along the way as the crowd cheered and clapped before disappearing in an Olympic van, perhaps the last glimpse of a legend at the Games.
And while speculation about the 40-year-old’s future as a marathoner continues to circulate, it appears he has turned his attention to other events.
According to MarcaKipchoge will take part in a 10km race as part of the Bangkok Marathon due to an ambassadorial role he has with Thailand.
Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathoner, will take part in a new event
It will be the first time since 2016 that the Kenyan will participate in an official competition other than a marathon.
Speaking about his new venture, Kipchoge said: “I have traveled to Asia many times and share the great ambitions to grow athletics as a sport to make people happier and healthier.
“There is huge potential in the world of Asian athletics and I am happy to work with Amazing Thailand to promote it in the Asian region.
“I have always said that I want to make this world a world of runners, because a world of runners is a happy world and this collaboration contributes to my personal ambitions,” he concluded.
Two months ago, Kipchoge’s quest for three consecutive Olympic marathon titles came to an end before the end of the Paris race after he took a taxi to the finish.
Kipchoge was in the lead in the first 10 kilometers and fell back to about a minute behind the leaders halfway through. He was one of ten runners who could not reach the finish.
Kipchoge had hoped to become the first man to win three Olympic marathons
Kipchoge, who was the world record holder between 2018 and 2023, had hoped to become the first man to win three Olympic marathons.
Between 2014 and 2019, he achieved a phenomenal 10-race unbeaten streak in major marathons.
Before switching to marathon running, the veteran was successful in the 5000 meters, taking bronze at the 2004 Athens Games and silver in Beijing 2008.
He then won consecutive gold medals in Rio and Tokyo.