The two-time Olympic champion noted that the loss on August 10 took a huge toll on him.
On Sunday, August 11, legendary marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge told fans he would make a return to the track, even though he revealed on Saturday that he had competed in his last ever Olympic Games.
In a heartfelt message he shared on his social media handles, the two-time Olympic champion noted that the loss on August 10 took a huge toll on him.
However, he did congratulate Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola who crossed the line in an Olympic record time of 2:06.26, recounting his experience of previously clinching Olympic titles for two years running.
“When you are ready to lay it all on the line, to achieve something that has never been done before – one must simply accept when the Tree of Life does not grant you the fruits of your labour.
Eliud Kipchoge during training on July 23, 2024. /ELIUD KIPCHOGE
“Yesterday marks a tough loss for me as I have worked towards this goal with every bit of devotion within me. I want to share my congratulations to Tamirat Tola on a very strong race today and on becoming an Olympic Champion. It’s the most special feeling in the world and I hope you are so proud of this achievement,” he wrote in part.
Kipchoge, who has wowed fans all over the world with his prowess over the years, dipped out of contention in the early stages of the men’s marathon, missing out on a chance to achieve what few thought would be possible.
Belgium’s Bashit Abdi finished second to take the silver, with Kenya’s Benson Kipruto winning bronze with a time of 2:07:00. It is worth noting that in 2023, Kipruto finished second behind the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record (2:00:35).
Despite the loss, Kipchoge appreciated his fans on the course and globally for supporting him all through the years.
“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the many fans on the course today and around the world for your endless love and support. I hope you know how much it means to me. I will be back and the sun will continue to shine down upon us,” he added.
“Tonight during the closing ceremony, I will represent Africa to close the Games together with the French President Emmanuel Macron.”
Kipchoge failed to complete an Olympic marathon race for the first time in his illustrious career in a moment that left fans and enthusiasts of athletics all around the world in shock.
The 39-year-old, known for achieving what human beings believed was impossible in the 42-kilometre races, dropped out of the Paris Olympic marathon on Saturday, August 10 after running for just 31 kilometres. This was attributed to a discomfort around his waist which was shown in front of his fans watching on TV when he appeared to clutch his backside.
Kipchoge was chasing an unprecedented third successive Olympic title in the marathon and was seen as a favourite to clinch the impossible, but his bid for immortality fell flat just over the halfway point.
He sat in 63rd place after the first 25km before withdrawing after falling back, showing visible signs of discomfort as he clutched the left side of his stomach and upper hip.
Moreover, the hopes of fans seeing the legend compete in another Olympic marathon were diminished after he revealed that the Paris edition was his last one, thus anyone’s hopes of seeing him during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are next to zero.
“You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run,” he told Olympics.com adding “I don’t know what next. I need to go back [home], sit down, and try to figure out my 21 years of running at a high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things.”
Eliud Kipchoge among other athletes at the Paris Olympics on August 10, 2024. /GETTY IMAGES