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Veteran athletics coach Julius Kirwa has jumped to the defence of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge following criticism and vile comments direct his way in recent months.
Veteran athletics coach Julius Kirwa has told off those who are writing Eliud Kipchoge off due to his recent struggles.
Kipchoge has endured a tough few months with vile comments from Kenyans online, starting with when the late Kelvin Kiptum broke his world record in Chicago to his 10th place finish in Tokyo in March.
The marathon legend was termed ‘bitter’ for failing to publicly congratulate Kiptum when he lowered his world record and the abuse continued even when the 24-year-old died following a car crash in February.
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09:25 - 02.05.2024
Benson Kipruto out to torment Eliud Kipchoge as he reveals main goal at Paris 2024 Olympics
Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto has put Eliud Kipchoge on the spot as he unveils his target at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
It got worse when the 39-year-old recorded his worst performance in the marathon after managing a 10th place finish in Tokyo in March as some even went as far as calling for him to retire while others did not even want him included in Kenya’s marathon team to the Paris Olympics.
But having included Kipchoge in Kenya’s final marathon team to the Olympics, alongside Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso, Kirwa feels Kipchoge should be allowed to focus on his preparations while predicting that the experienced runner will surprise many in the French capital.
“How can you write somebody off and yet he is still producing and representing the country?” posed Kirwa, who was among the panel of selectors who came up with the marathon team.
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05:08 - 02.05.2024
Defiant Eliud Kipchoge fires back at his detractors following recent criticism
Eliud Kipchoge has told off critics who have aimed digs at him over his recent actions and setbacks as he seeks to silence them after making Kenya’s final Olympics marathon team.
“He has asked for this opportunity and he has the history, the time and performance, everything that was needed for selection.
“We cannot judge him based on age, let us give him this chance and people should watch out. He is also a defending champion. We give him a lot of stress for nothing and he has said he is ready.”
Kirwa’s comments came days after a defiant Kipchoge also told off his critics after making the Olympics team.
“They say that the longest tree receives all the wind and it can shed all the leaves but that tree can endure the entire winter until the summer when it grows other leaves,” Kipchoge said last Wednesday of the criticism directed his way.
“That’s me, you will still see me, I will still grow leaves and move on,” he added.
Kipchoge is looking to become the first man to do a three-peat in the marathon at the Olympics following his success in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
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