'I Have Nothing to Prove' - Eliud Kipchoge Unfazed by Prospect of Defeat at Sydney Marathon

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has given an account of what defeats have taught him as he heads to the Sydney Marathon with a different perspective.

As he prepares for his Sydney Marathon debut on Sunday, Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge insists his marathon journey is about more than just winning.

He tells Olympics.com that his runs are now a lesson in patience, determination, and inspiring others. Kipchoge is majestically striding into an even more powerful version of himself.

The Kenyan legend remains unfazed by the retirement rumours swirling around him or any doubts about his ability to win another marathon.

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"I have nothing more to prove to the world," he tells Olympics.com in a recent chat from his home in Eldoret.

His confidence is rooted in years of marathon dominance, world record-breaking runs, and back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

In a world obsessed with winners, it takes immense emotional strength to continue running after an astounding, unbeaten streak of 10 straight marathons comes to an end. Yet, even in defeat, Kipchoge exemplifies the ethos that has guided his entire career.

What Have Defeats Taught the Marathon Great?

He is learning from his last three races—where he missed the podium—what his 11 majestic marathon victories never could.

"I have learned patience," he says. "I have learned to handle challenges. I've learned to be determined in life, and that pain can resolve into a huge benefit."

The Kenyan superstar has also taken on a new role as an athlete representative on his country’s Olympic Committee. After a remarkable international career spanning 22 years, he has a deep understanding of the difficulties athletes face and is motivated to ensure their voices are heard.

"This is a huge chance for me to extend my mentorship outside of running to rugby, football, judo, boxing, and softball," he explains. "I hope that when my fellow athletes see me here and now, they see determination and are encouraged to push and break barriers."

Paris 2024 was a turning point for the two-time Olympic gold medallist. Following the first Did Not Finish (DNF) of his career, Kipchoge took time to pause and reflect.

Kipchoge Picking Positives from London Run

While it marked the end of his Olympic career, he assured everyone that he still had plenty left in the tank. The marathon icon confirmed that the "tough" run in the French capital would not be his final race or define his future.

Although his pursuit of an unprecedented third Olympic marathon gold was thwarted by back pain, he remains resolute in his quest for a glory that, for him, surpasses podium finishes. Kipchoge is determined to continue building on his enormous legacy.

And, as he has done for most of the last decade, he threw himself back into training, believing in himself and making a heroic comeback to win his fifth London Marathon title last April.

Despite finishing sixth behind compatriot Sabastian Sawe, Kipchoge, who turns 41 in November, left the British capital with a renewed sense of motivation.

"What I learned from London is that consistency and patience still rule the day… I had to be patient enough, and my consistency helped," said the greatest marathoner of all time, reflecting on his second career sixth-place finish.

What Should Fans Expect from Kipchoge in Sydney?

He also placed sixth in the Boston Marathon, his first loss since 2014."I tell young people that the more you stay in any profession, the more you gain knowledge and expertise, and I believe that's what I am showing," Kipchoge said.

"Marathon is like life," he continued. "We don't win with our legs; we win with our hearts and our minds."

His desire to achieve new goals drove him to sign up for his penultimate World Marathon Major in Australia, with the hope of collecting his seventh star in New York in the near future.

For Kipchoge, crossing the finish line first at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt would be "nice," but he now has a deeper understanding of what truly matters. He is committed to furthering a career that has all the hallmarks of a marathon, not a sprint.

"What I am doing now is what I would advise the younger me: 'Just have more patience, more determination and stay disciplined'," he said.

"It's a huge pressure for me to win the race, but there’s more pressure for me to inspire more people to take up running. For me, there’s more pressure to show the people in Australia and beyond what's needed to enjoy running and to showcase my longevity in the sport."

Kipchoge has been on top of the world and isn't looking for an exit anytime soon. He is aware that marathons have become incredibly competitive, but the runner who always aims to be 80 per cent fit a month before a race still craves a degree of dominance.