Eliud Kipchoge on Thursday, April 4, was picked to lead an 11-star-studded marathon team for the 2024 Paris Olympic games.
Kipchoge will be seeking to clinch a third gold medal in the event that will be held from July 2024.
In a list released by Athletics Kenya, former world record holder Brigid Kosgei has been named to lead the women’s team.
Kenya will be represented by five men and six women in the event.
“Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri are also part of the star-studded team that will start training immediately to prepare for the Games,” Athletics Kenya stated.
Other women who will be eyeing gold in the global event include Ruth Chepng'etich, Rosemary Wanjiru and Sharon Lokedi.
On the men’s team, Kipchoge will be joined by stalwarts Vincent Kipkemboi Ng'etich, Timothy Kiplagat, Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso.
“The team has since been handed over to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya and will be coached by Coaches Amos Korir, Nicholas Koech and Patrick Sang,” it was revealed.
Athletics Kenya has appointed former marathoner Mary Keitany to act as the team coordinator.
Kipchoge is heading to the marathon against rising pressure from a section of Kenyan fans to retire.
On his part, the Olympic champion has stated that he is yet to decide on his retirement date as he seeks to be the first human to run a marathon in under two hours.
The late Kelvin Kiptum holds the record for the fastest marathon having clocked 2:00:35 in the Chicago marathon in October 2023.
Kiptum had set his sights on running in under two hours in the Paris Olympics marathon but met untimely death in a road accident on February 11, 2024.
