Bekele vs Kipchoge, the rivalry of the century in Paris

Kenenisa Bekeleconfirmed by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation for the Paris Olympic marathon, the Kenyan will face the asphalt of the French capital Eliud Kipchogegreat dominator of the distance in recent years and whom he would meet again at the Games sixteen years later.

Bekele, at 41 years old -42 in August-, will face the Paris Olympic Games after the great race he starred in the last London marathon on April 21, when he finished second and stopped the clock in 2:04:15.

That time, similar to the 2h04:19 recorded in Valencia on December 3, 2023, fourth in the Spanish city, allowed him to return in style to some Olympic Games twelve years after it was last done. Last time, at London 2012, he was fourth in the 10,000 meters on the track.

Previously, in Beijing 2008, it was double Olympic champion in 5,000 and 10,000 meters. In the 5,000m he starred in a good duel with Kipchoge, who was second and followed him on the podium with a silver medal.

At the same distance of 5,000 meters, four years ago, in Athens, they also met on the track. That time the victory went to Hicham El Guerrouj, the silver to Bekele and the bronze to Kipchoge.

For the Paris Olympic marathon the other two selected for the men’s race by the Ethiopian Federation are Sisay Lemmawinner of the Boston Marathon this 2024 with 2h06:17, and Tamirat Tolawinner of the last New York marathon in 2023 with 2h04:58.

In the women’s category the Ethiopian team is led by Tigist Assefaworld marathon record holder with 2h11:53 in Berlin 2023 and who, at 27 years old, will debut in Paris at the Games.

The other two members of the Ethiopian women’s team are Amane Berisosecond at the 2023 Boston Marathon and credited with a best time of 2h14:58 at Valencia 2022, and Gotytom Gebresilasemarathon world champion in Eugene 2022 with his best time: 2h18:11.