Kipchoge Finally Reacts To Kelvin Kiptum Breaking His World Record

Kipchoge was speaking to the media in Spain where he was awarded the prestigious Princess of Asturias Sports Award for 2023.

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Oct 21, 2023 - 11:08 Updated: Oct 21, 2023 - 11:09
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Kipchoge Finally Reacts To Kelvin Kiptum Breaking His World Record
Collage image of Kelvin Kiptum (left) and Eliud Kipchoge (right). /VIRALTEAKE

Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge on Friday, October 20 finally broke his silence regarding the exploits of Kelvin Kiptum, who won the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, causing an upset by breaking the world record set by Kipchoge.

Kipchoge was speaking to the media in Spain where he was awarded the prestigious Princess of Asturias Sports Award for 2023. The award ceremony took place in Oviedo, Spain and was presided over by Spain’s Royal Family.

He expressed his happiness for Kiptum, though he revealed that he was not surprised that the 23-year-old had broken his own record, expressing his delight at setting the stage for other athletes to break records.

Kelvin Kiptum in action during the 2023 Chicago Marathon. /X

"I was not surprised about [Kiptum] breaking the world record,” Kipchoge said.

“I was happy to see the record being broken…I am looking forward to seeing records being broken because I have shown them the way."

Kipchoge had been facing surmountable pressure mostly from Kenyans who passionately follow him regarding Kiptum's performance in the Chicago Marathon.

The two are expected to go head to head at the 2024 Olympic Games, and Kipchoge is looking forward to the clash. 

Kipchoge has been the standout best marathoner for the last 10 years and has set his sights on winning three Olympic marathons, when the competition takes place in Paris, France next year, setting the stage for him to join the rank of sprinter Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals back to back in the competition. 

Jamaican Bolt, regarded as one of the best sprinters of his generation, won the 2008, 2012, and 2016 gold titles in the 100m and 200m Olympic games and is the only athlete in human history to set this record.

In the awards ceremony, Kipchoge was among the awardees of the annual Princess of Asturias Award who each get $53,000 (Ksh7.9 million), a sculpture expressly created for the awards as well as a certificate.

The foundation's panel of 15 judges described Kipchoge as a legend in the world of athletics whose records are unmatched.

"The Jury has valued the figure of the athlete as a role model in world athletics and as the best marathon runner of all time. Two-time Olympic champion and holder of the world record for the race, Kipchoge is the only man in history to have managed to run the 42.195 kilometres in under two hours, although this feat has not been officially recognised," read part of the statement from the judges.

In his acceptance speech, Kipchoge expressed deep honour and gratitude for being acknowledged with the Princess of Asturias Award.

“We can only achieve greatness if we fully believe that there is nothing holding us back. There are no limits, just what our mind tricks us to believe. So, I urge to you see the world this way," Kipchoge remarked

“To see the world without limits and to see all that is possible. A running world is a happy world. A running world is a united world."

Eliud Kipchoge poses next to the Princess of Asturias Sports Award for 2023 on October 20, 2023. /ELIUD KIPCHOGE

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