Eliud Kipchoge, April 24, 2016, London winner, photo courtesy of Virgin Money London Marathon
ELDORET (KEN): Eliud Kipchoge has been appointed the Kenyan marathon team captain for the Rio Olympics, informs The Star. “I am delighted to oversee this team and make sure that we do well. I have confidence the marathoners selected and we are hopeful we will deliver,” he said.
Larry Eder opines: Eliud Kipchoge is to the marathon what Asbel Kiprop is to the 1,500 meters : the global standard bearer. Eliud is fighting against, however, the long tide of Olympic marathon history. Marathon champions, in many cases in the Olympics, are near surprises, as the competition at the marathon is much higher than many other global sporting disciplines, and it takes a huge price from the body and the mind. Eliud Kipchoge, in this writers’ mind, is up for the task. But that, dear friends, is why we call it a sport.