Kipchoge and Obiri battled scorching conditions and a tricky course with inclines wearing an accessory many were seeing for the very first time.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games marathon on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, both Kenyan marathoners, Eliud Kipchoge and Hellen Obiri took to the streets and recorded mixed performances. While Kipchoge dropped out of the race much to the world’s shock, Obiri secured a bronze medal after finishing third behind Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Ethiopian Tigst Assefa.
However, these were not the only moments that captured the world’s attention in terms of athletics events. Kipchoge, the former Olympic champion and Obiri battled scorching conditions and a tricky course with inclines wearing an accessory many were seeing for the very first time.
The duo were across the two days spotted wearing an Omius cooling headband. In fact, numerous top athletes in the race were sporting it as the gruelling nature of the Paris marathon saw the world’s best athletes pushed to the limit.
Bashir Abdi, who won the silver medal, wore the headband during the race (he took it off for the awards), as did Abdi Nageeye, the silver medalist from the Tokyo Games, who did not finish in Paris.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in action during the Paris 2024 Olympic marathon on August 11, 2024. /WORLD ATHLETICS
When she crossed the finish line with an Olympic record of 2:22.55, Hassan was captured wearing the same headband, which is a unique type of headgear designed to help regulate body temperature during intense physical exertion.
According to the Omius website, the technology inside the 15-gram headband works when sweat is absorbed into the little squares on the front of the headband.
The amplified cooling effect of the Omius technology comes from water being absorbed into the cooling pieces where it has five times more surface area for evaporation.
The transformation of water from a liquid to a gas on the surface of the graphite pulls heat from the inside of the cooling pieces which are in contact with the skin and thus cooling the skin.
Because the cooling effect is driven solely by water evaporation the effect will continue indefinitely as long as the cooling pieces are wet and have airflow across them.
These features make the Omius headband a vital accessory designed with the advancements in technology to optimise heat dissipation, a crucial factor in maintaining peak performance in marathon running.
In addition to its functional design, the headband is crafted from high-quality elastic material that adjusts to fit most head sizes, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit throughout the race. It is available in two colours, black and white, allowing athletes to select a headband that matches their personal preference or team colours.
However, it is far from any ordinary headband in terms of price, and as reported by Runners World, one piece will set you back Ksh25,800 (US$200) at current exchange rates, though it is a worthy investment for athletes seeking big goals during marathons.
Furthermore, thanks to the Omius headband’s versatility, its cooling pieces used in the headband can also be transferred to other Omius products, such as visors and caps, which are designed with the same silicone grid system. This allows athletes to customize their cooling gear based on the specific demands of their sport or personal comfort.
However, it’s important to note that the headband, visor, and cap are sold separately, with each requiring 20 cooling pieces to function effectively. The price varies depending on the quality and brand.
Other Olympic-level athletes have tried out the cooling accessory recently, which has been more commonly used in triathlons. Last week, the winner of the men’s 20K race walk, Brian Pintado of Ecuador, was spotted using it during his race.
American marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk was seen wearing a visor version before February’s Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida, United States (US).
Eliud Kipchoge among other athletes at the Paris Olympics on August 10, 2024. /GETTY IMAGES
