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The Ethiopian is tipped to successfully defend his New York City marathon title on November 3.
Paris Olympics marathon champion Tamirat Tola has revealed how his victory in the French capital helped change perception of the Ethiopians while his newly-acquired status saw his life transform for the better.
The 33-year-old who earned a late call-up from the Ethiopian team after Sisay Lemma withdrew due to injury, justified his unlikely inclusion with a gold medal in the 42km race. He cut the tape in 2:06:26 to cruise to victory, becoming the first Ethiopian man since Gezahegne Abera in Sydney to claim the most coveted road race.
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16:17 - 17.08.2024
Tamirat Tola shares how Eliud Kipchoge & Kenenisa Bekele inspired him to Olympic glory in Paris
Tamirat Tola has recounted how toeing the line for the men's marathon alongside Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge inspired him to give his all for Olympic glory.
Tola who is tipped to defend his New York City marathon title on November 3 said the Olympics glory was a turning point in his life. In an interview with Olympics.com, Tola said: "It changed my life completely. This is a goal of not only mine but all athletes, to win the Olympics."
Tola said his win in New York in 2023 helped springboard his confidence for Paris, noting how similar the two courses are. He returned home as a national hero. He was the lone Ethiopian to win an Olympic gold medal during Paris 2024.
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17:30 - 14.08.2024
Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola rewarded after ending Kenya's marathon reign at Olympics
Olympic marathon gold medallist Tamirat Tola honored by Ethiopia after record-breaking victory at Paris Olympics
Addressing the media ahead of the medal-hunt in the populous American city, Tola added: "It's a very special feeling I've received from people at home; a lot of admiration. I received a lot of respect. A lot of young and upcoming athletes have been inspired by it... and they want to train with me, they’re eager to be with me."
He went on: “There were people who knew me from other championships, but now after the Olympics, it's much more. It's given me a lot more renown and it's very enjoyable.”
Tola broke a 12-year-old course record at the 2023 New York City Marathon, pulling away from the field in the final six miles to win in 2:04:58. It marked his first victory at an Abbott World Marathon Majors event and was his first podium finish in New York. Tola placed fourth in his previous two New York appearances in 2018 and 2019.
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