Kenyan long-distance running champion Eliud Kipchoge has clarified that he has not officially retired from competitive athletics, despite not finishing the marathon at the Paris Olympics.
He is now focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, intending to adopt a fresh strategy for the marathon.
Upon his return to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after the Olympics, Kipchoge contemplated his experiences, recognizing that challenges have played a crucial role in his achievements.
“As an athlete, I will be at the Olympics (2028 Los Angeles Olympics) in another capacity to inspire hope and optimism not just in my country and continent, but across the entire world,” he stated.
Kipchoge underscored his commitment to enabling rising talents to excel and set new records, despite the fact that his own world record of 1:59:40, established in Vienna in 2019, remains unbeaten.
He also pointed out the significance of engaging in global competitions, clarifying that spectators frequently confuse participation with the attainment of medals.
Kipchoge elaborated that although a higher number of participants enhances the competition, it is the achievement of medals that confers distinction upon the individual athlete.
Meanwhile, Kipchoge failed to secure his third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The race, which took place on August 10, 2024, saw Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola emerge victorious with a new Olympic record time of 2:06:26.
Tola built a strong lead early on and extended his advantage as the race progressed, becoming the first Ethiopian to win the Olympic men’s marathon in 24 years.
Belgium’s Bashir Abdi took silver, improving on his bronze medal from Tokyo 2020, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto claimed bronze.
Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathon runner of all time, was among the frontrunners but struggled with the hilly course, particularly the first ascent that broke up the leading pack.
He did not finish the race.