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Twenty-one years ago, Eliud Kipchoge was proclaimed 5,000-meter world champion in Paris. The long-distance runner, considered the best marathon runner of all time with the permission of the late world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, was returning to the French capital to pursue a challenge, a dream: to become the only marathon athlete to win three consecutive Olympic titles.
The feat was enormous, given Eliud's seniority (39 years old) and the demanding course of this Olympic marathon, with ramps of up to 13% gradient. And the Kenyan suffered. It was in the early stages always in the lead group, but when the course reached the first slopes Kipchoge was losing positions.
At kilometer 31 Eliud decided to stop. He knew it was impossible to perform optimally in the city that saw him become world champion 21 years ago. But the greatness of the Kenyan, his respect for a distance that has made him a legend, led him to wait for the last runner to pass, amidst the cheers of the crowd.
As he was passed by Ser-Od Bat-Ochir of Mongolia, who subsequently crossed the finish line in 2.42:33, Eliud went to the fans, threw them his running shoes and retired.
"I stopped at km 30 and walked a couple of kilometers surrounded by people, gave them the running shoes, the bib, the T-shirt.... Everything but this (he was referring to the pants) because I couldn't," he said.
It remains to be seen if this is the definitive farewell to a prolific career in the world distance, in which Kipchoge has won four Olympic medals (two gold medals in marathon), as well as two world medals in 5.000.
"To continue or not is something I will have to think about", said the Kenyan after reaching the finish line. In addition, he has the second best time ever in the 42.195 kilometers, behind Kiptum's world record (2.00:35), with 2.01:09.