'It's really like a setback' - Eliud Kipchoge still haunted by disappointing Paris Olympic Games

Eliud Kipchoge still haunted by disappointing Paris Olympic Games

'It's really like a setback' - Eliud Kipchoge still haunted by disappointing Paris Olympic Games

Abigael Wafula 09:46 - 25.11.2024

Eliud Kipchoge, still reflecting on his Paris Olympic setback, aims to bounce back with a bang next year while inspiring global runners through his "no human is limited" philosophy.

Eliud Kipchoge is still haunted by the Paris Olympic Games setback where for the first time in history, he failed to finish the race.

The five-time Berlin Marathon champion went into the race as the defending champion and was hoping to win his third title and make history but things did not go as planned as he pulled out after the 30km mark.

As quoted by Daily Finland, Eliud Kipchoge revealed that he still feels bad about the experience and next year, he will have to run a competitive race and bounce back from the heartbreak as he also looks to show the world that he still can compete.

"It's really like a setback, but you know, I treat it as a challenge because sport is always challenging. The idea is to accept what has happened, move on,” Eliud Kipchoge said.

“Sport actually is living; a life being lived every day. I think next year I'll run a very good competitive race to bounce back from the loss in the Olympics."

The four-time London Marathon champion also went down memory lane on breaking the two-hour barrier that opened his eyes. He revealed that making history shaped his mindset and since then, he has been trying to change people’s ideas too and enlighten them.

He is currently on a tour in China where he seeks to impact the lives of people and encourage a spirit of running among the people. Eliud Kipchoge revealed that he will invite some Chinese runners to Kenya to train with him to help them become better athletes.

"Through breaking the two-hour barrier, I realize that no human is limited at all. Everybody can do whatever you set as a goal. And you know, I've achieved that. I've tried to remove the thinking from the minds of many people and make them know that there is nothing impossible in this one,” Kipchoge said.

"I am really happy and grateful that I can be back in China. And we do want to bring more people to run marathons, not for competition actually, but to run and get that accomplishment, and gain confidence to solve any problem in this world.

"I think after three months they'll run faster, and it's good to have a long partnership. We are starting next year to collaborate with Chinese athletes to exchange the knowledge and the training experience. I believe the Chinese athletes will get more knowledge and more motivation after this."