Kenya’s marathon great Eliud Kipchoge has been named UNESCO ambassador for sports, integrity and values a second straight year, adding another feather to his cap.
Two-time Olympics champion Eliud Kipchoge has been named United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) ambassador.
Kipchoge was named the UNESCO ambassador for sports, integrity and values for a period of two years at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi on Wednesday.
According to UNESCO East Africa Regional Director, Kipchoge was chosen for his values in discipline, integrity and his role in championing for environmental conservation and the education for children.
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“We have a very similar state of mind and priorities (with Kipchoge) and that is what made it a perfect match for us to join hands,” Haxthausen told Capital Sport.
“For him, being the exceptional athlete that he is and with a bigger outlook onlife and how sports can be a means to live a better life is what attracted us to him. We are also looking at how young people can be empowered through sports, education and caring about the planet. He has a very strong engagement on environmental conservation and that is an area close to what UNESCO is doing.”
Kipchoge is delighted by his new role as it aligns with his Eliud Kipchoge Foundation which has education as one of its three pillars.
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“UNESCO is particularly keen on environment and education and the values of my foundation are the same and they come hand in hand. We want to go round the country promoting education, build kindergartens and give children better classrooms. We want to spread this to the neighboring countries, the rest of Africa and even the whole world, to make small communities develop,” said Kipchoge.
It is the second time Kipchoge is being named UNESCO ambassador after landing a similar role in October 2023.