Ruto sends message to Eliud Kipchoge after disappointing performance at Paris Olympics
President William Ruto has celebrated Eliud Kipchoge as a great legend despite his misfortune in the Paris 2024 Olympics
President William Ruto has celebrated Eliud Kipchoge as a great legend despite his misfortune in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kipchoge’s quest in the games came to an abrupt end at the 30km mark due to a sharp pain in his waist.
“I know how people were disappointed. Many people I know made a lot of comments, how could Eliud not finish? But Eliud we celebrate you. You have held our flag high,” Ruto said.
Ruto hailed the “limitless” man as a great Kenyan, urging the citizens to criticise the athletes less and embrace them more.
The President spoke on Thursday during a breakfast meeting with Team Kenya in the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Eldoret State Lodge.
He emphasised the need to embrace the athletes and not take them for granted, terming them as the great ambassadors to Kenya.
In Paris, Kipchoge aimed to make history as the first man to win three consecutive Olympic marathon titles having secured the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo titles.
After the Paris debacle, Kipchoge says the focus now shifts to charting out new opportunities.
“Every competition has its downsides and Paris was not the best for me. I need to go back to the drawing board to see what opportunities are there for me to grab,” Kipchoge stated.
Despite the setback, the five-time Berlin Marathon champion stressed that the Olympics is about more than just winning medals.
Night fire razes down several houses in Kibra
WHO declares Mpox a global public health emergency
EPRA announces fuel prices for next month
Senate rejects committee in Gov Mwangaza impeachment motion
Chaos as ODM youth groups clash over leadership positions
Ruto issues way forward after revoking university fee letters
“The Olympics is not about winning medals. It’s about participation. You participate first, represent your country and continent and then compete to win medals,” Kipchoge added.
He further thanked his fans worldwide as well as in Kenya for their support throughout his illustrious career.
“I thank all the Kenyans and my fans across the world for their support. Over 50 million Kenyans have supported me as I continue to make Kenya a running country,” he stated.
Apart from the five Berlin Marathon titles, Kipchoge also holds four London Marathon titles, as well as the 2021 Tokyo Marathon and 2014 Chicago Marathon titles.
Kipchoge is also a silver medallist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 5,000m as well as a bronze from the 2004 Athens Games in the same event.
Also read,
Another blow to Ruto as Court of Appeal declines to lift orders barring implementation of SHIF
Plainclothes police to continue operating in protests despite court ban, Charles Owino
Police boss promotes Beatrice Chebet after winning 2 gold medals in Paris Olympics
Uhuru dismisses Raila claim that he asked him to reach out to Ruto
UK issues travel advisory against Kenya
Francis Atwoli warns CS Mbadi after meeting IMF representative
Follow us
