Kenya unfazed about losing Olympics gold over Kelvin Kiptum’s death & Eliud Kipchoge’s poor form

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge after winning the 2020 Olympics marathon gold. Photo: Imago

ATHLETICS Kenya unfazed about losing Olympics gold over Kelvin Kiptum’s death & Eliud Kipchoge’s poor form

Joel Omotto 08:34 - 24.03.2024

Athletics Kenya remains confident of retaining the men’s Olympics marathon title following the death of Kelvin Kiptum and the indifferent form of Eliud Kipchoge.

Kenya remains confident of claiming the Olympics marathon gold despite the death of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and the indifferent form of defending champion Eliud Kipchoge.

Kipchoge has won the last two Olympics golds and will be attempting to become the first man to win it for the third straight edition but he has won only one of his last three races, which has some fans worried that he might not manage to retain his title.

Further, the untimely death of Kelvin Kiptum, who was considered a shoo-in for gold in Paris, was another setback for Kenya which will have to re-strategise to avoid losing the men’s crown in Paris.

However, Athletics Kenya (AK) remain confident of retaining the men’s title, pointing to the immense marathon talent that the country is blessed with.

“Right now, Kenyans are many. We have 69 Kenyans who have attained the qualifying standards so anyone can win. It cannot worry me,” said athletics coach Julius Kirwa, who is part of the selection penal for the Olympics marathon team.

“As long as the athlete is well organised mentally, then he will run. In Kenya, even if he is ranked 68th, they will still perform because they are not easy to run against,” added the veteran coach.

Kiptum and Kipchoge were part of a strong 10-man provisional team unveiled last December with 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich, who finished second and third in Tokyo, Bernard Koech, two-time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto and Titus Kipruto the others.

AK has also indicated that an additional name will be added to the squad in light of Kiptum’s death before the final team is selected, opening the door for others who had missed out in December such as Alexander Mutiso and Evans Chebet.

Chebet and Mutiso are among the consistent performers recently and either of them have a chance if they do well in Boston and London respectively next month.

Based on current form, Benson Kipruto appears to be formidable force with Tokyo being his fourth win in his last seven marathons while Kipchoge will want to make amends despite finishing 10th in the Japanese capital after sixth in Boston which was followed up by a win in Berlin last year.

With the medal hunt at the Olympics being a result of teamwork, AK intends to lay the strategy with those selected, both men and women, to ensure Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir’s titles do not slip from Kenya’s grasp.

“We will sit down with them and analyse some information based what they will tell us because they are the ones to represent the country,” said Kirwa. “We do not say this is what we are going to do without their consent and their input or request.”

The women’s team has Jepchirchir, former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, 2019 world champion Ruth Chepng'etich, 2024 Tokyo Marathon runners-up Rosemary Wanjiru, Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Judith Korir, Seley Chepyego and Sharon Lokedi.

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