Kipchoge paid tribute to Kiptum before the Tokyo Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge paid tribute ahead of next Sunday’s Tokyo Marathon to his compatriot Kelvin Kiptumwho broke the world record and died in a traffic accident a few weeks ago.

The two-time Olympic marathon champion, 39, He said it was “sad that he died like this” on February 11 at the age of 24 after a traffic accident in the Kenyan Rift Valley, not far from where he lived and trained.

Kiptum, a rising star of Kenyan and world athletics, burst into the marathon world by breaking the world record (2h 0min 35s) of the legend of the discipline, Kipchoge, last October in Chicago, in his third official race.

“His career is in full swing and he is running at a really high level.“said Kipchoge, whose previous record (2h 1min 9s) was broken by 34 seconds.

According to Kipchoge, who is running his first race in Japan since the death of his compatriot, This year’s Paris Olympic marathon will be “different” after the tragedy.

“Expectations are high“said Kipchoge, who won Olympic gold at the Rio Games in 2016 and five years later in Tokyo.

The Kenyan returned to Japan for the first time since 2022, when he broke the race record in 2h 02 min 40 sec.

Also in Tokyo this weekend, the Dutch Sifan Hassan declared himself “heartbroken” by Kiptum’s death: “I’m so young and I’m showing the world what’s possible. It’s so hard.”

Last October, alongside Kiptum, Hassan won the Chicago Marathon, setting the second best time by a woman in history (2h 13min 44s).

The Dutchwoman, current Olympic champion of 5,000 and 10,000 meters, participated in Tokyo in only her third marathon. He won the first two in London and Chicago.

He will face Ethiopian Amane Beriso Shankuleworld champion, and the Kenyan Rosemary Wanjiru, winner in Tokyo last year.