Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge delivers running masterclass to retain Olympic marathon title

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge delivered a masterclass in running to retain the Olympic title in the men’s marathon at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The Kenyan runner, running in his fourth Olympics, crossed the finish line in Sapporo Odori Park in a time of two hours eight minutes and 38 seconds.

The time was faster than the one he ran to win Olympic gold in Rio in 2016.

“It means a lot for me, especially at this time,” said Kipchoge on winning his second Olympic gold.

“It was really hard last year, it (Olympic Games Tokyo 2020) was postponed. I am happy for the local organising committee who made this race happen.

“It is a sign that shows the world we are heading in the right direction – we are on the right transition to a normal life.

“I can say congratulations to them that they made this Olympics happen.”

Kipchoge, won bronze in Athens in 2004 and silver in Beijing 2008 in the 5000m, already has a full set of medals thanks to his marathon gold in Rio.

But this addition to his collection is Kenya’s fifth medal in the men’s Olympic marathon since the Games in Beijing in 2008.

With this win, Kipchoge joins a select group of runners who have successfully defended the Olympic marathon title. The others are Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (1960 and 1964) and East Germany’s Waldemar Cierpinski (1976 and 1980).

“I think I have fulfilled the legacy by winning the marathon for the second time, back-to-back,” Kipchoge added. “I hope now to help inspire the next generation.”

Source: Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) www.olympics.com