The many Olympic firsts that await Kenya’s marathon team in Paris

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The many Olympic firsts that await Kenya’s marathon team in Paris

Joel Omotto 17:44 - 02.05.2024

Kenya unveiled a formidable Olympic marathon team that comprise defending champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir but all six runners are eyeing their own ‘first’ in Paris.

Kenya unveiled its final Olympics marathon team on Wednesday with defending champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir leading the team.

Kipchoge will be joined by Alexander Mutiso and Benson Kipruto while Jepchirchir will have Brigid Kosgei and Hellen Obiri for company.

While it is well known that Kipchoge is seeking to make history by becoming the first man to win three straight Olympic gold medals, the rest of the team is also seeking their own ‘first.’

Kipchoge claimed gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and will etch his name in history as the first marathoner to ever do a three-peat at the Olympics, cementing his legacy even further as the greatest marathon runner in history.

Meanwhile Jepchirichir, who recently broke the women’s-only world record while winning in London, will also become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in marathon if she can defend her title in Paris.

Based on her form, few can bet against her sealing her own ‘first’ in the French capital.

Hellen Obiri, meanwhile, has not hidden her desire to win her first Olympics gold.

The two-time Boston Marathon champion has been to the Olympics three times (London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020) but managed silver, both in 5,000m, and having transitioned to marathon, she feels now is the time to win the only medal still missing in her glittering cabinet.

“I do believe if I will be one of them representing Kenya, it will be my biggest opportunity to show I've been doing this on the track but now I'm a marathoner. This time it will be that time to get that gold that I've been looking for so many years,” Obiri said before her Boston marathon defence last month.

Former world record holder Kosgei made the team despite her indifferent form. Kosgei, coming off a fifth place in London, has had to deal with injuries and personal problems but her experience will be vital.

The 30-year-old finished second behind Jepchirchir in Tokyo three years ago and she is looking for her first Olympic gold which would silence the critics who have questioned her inclusion over the on-form Sharon Lokedi.

Meanwhile, it is the first Olympics appearance for London Marathon champion Mutiso and Tokyo Marathon winner Kipruto.

Both runners have shown enough quality that makes them Olympic gold material and this will be a first for either of them if they conquer the French capital.

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