Ethiopian runner Tamirat Tola clinched gold in the men’s marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 10, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds. This victory marks a significant moment in Olympic history, ending Kenya’s recent dominance in the event and showcasing Ethiopia’s continued strength in long-distance running.Tola’s impressive performance saw him finish 21 seconds ahead of silver medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto secured the bronze medal 34 seconds behind the winner. The 32-year-old Ethiopian, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Sunday, demonstrated remarkable endurance and tactical acumen throughout the challenging course, which featured a 436m climb and a maximum gradient of 13.5 percent.’I’m very happy. Thank you to Paris and the Parisians. It’s the best day of my life!’ Tola exclaimed after his victory. This Olympic gold adds to Tola’s impressive resume, which includes a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the marathon world title in 2022.However, the race was also marked by a shocking turn of events as two-time defending champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya abandoned the race after the 30th kilometer. Kipchoge, widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, struggled with back pain and fell nearly 8 minutes and 30 seconds behind the leaders before withdrawing. ‘It is a difficult time for me. This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF (did not finish). That’s life,’ Kipchoge stated after the race.The Paris Olympics marathon not only showcased athletic excellence but also the unpredictable nature of sports at the highest level. As Tola celebrates his historic win, the running world reflects on Kipchoge’s unexpected setback and the potential end of an era in Olympic marathon running.
Key points
- Ethiopian Tamirat Tola won the Olympic marathon gold with a record time of 2:06:26.
- Two-time defending champion Eliud Kipchoge withdrew from the race due to back pain.
- Tola’s victory ends Kenya’s recent dominance in the Olympic marathon.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Kipchoge withdrew due to back pain, one source mentions ‘discomfort around his waist’.
