Kipchoge, Kiptum included in Kenya’s star-studded Olympics team
5th December 2023
Only three runners from each category will represent the country at the global event.
- A list of ten men and ten women were released in the provisional squad named.
- The men's squad is headlined by the reigning world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his predecessor Eliud Kipchoge.
- Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Hellen Obiri have been included in the women's side.
Athletics Kenya has named a strong men’s and women’s provisional
marathon squad ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to take place
in Paris, France.
The men's squad is headlined by the reigning world record
holder Kelvin Kiptum and his predecessor Eliud Kipchoge, a double Olympic
champion seeking to make history at the 2024 games.
Some of the other big names in the list include two-time Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto and his namesake Amos Kipruto who triumphed at the 2022 Virgin Money London Marathon.
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Three-time world half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor,
who trains alongside Kipchoge under the watchful eyes of coach Patrick Sang has
also made it to the team.
Others include the 2023 Haspa Marathon Hamburg winner
Bernard Koech and 2022 Telepass Milano Marathon champion Titus Kipruto, Cyprian
Kotut, Vincent Ngetich, and Timothy Kiplagat.
Similar to the men’s team, the women’s squad is made up of brilliant women who are all capable of securing a podium place finish.
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Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, one time New York
City Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi and the 2022 World Athletics Championships
silver medalist Judith Jeptum Korir have made it to the star-studded squad.
Ruth Chepngetich, who ran away with the 2019 world title, Hellen
Obiri, Rosemary Wanjiru, Sheila Chepkirui, Selly Chepyego and Joyciline
Jepkosgei all stand a chance of donning the Kenyan jersey at the prestigious
event.
The 2022 Tokyo Olympic Games gold medalist Peres Jepchirchir may also get the nod to defend her title in Paris.
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According to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK),
only three runners from each category will represent the country at the global
event.
“Although AK has released a list of 10 men and 10 women, the
team will be scaled down to 5 in January, 3 to compete and 2 reserves,” the
communique read in part.
Kenya will be seeking to win both the men’s and the women’s
event for the third time in a row. Jemima Sumgong became the first woman in
Kenya’s rich history to bag the coveted title in 2016 before Jepchirchir
retained it at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games.
In the men’s category, Kipchoge will be aiming to become the
first man ever to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in marathon in August
next year.
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The multiple Abbott Marathon Majors series winner secured
his first Olympic win at the 2016 Rio de Jenairo edition before reclaiming it
in Tokyo two years ago.
Women’s Marathon Team
Rosemary Wanjiru – 2:16.28
Ruth Chepngetich – 2:14.18
Sheila Chepkirui – 2:17.29
Judith Jeptum Korir – 2:18.20
Hellen Obiri – 2:21.38
Brigid Kosgei – 2:14.04
Sharon Lokedi – 2:23.23
Peres Jepchirchir – 2:17.16
Joyciline Jepkosgei – 2:17.23
Selly Chepyego – 2:20.03
Men’s Marathon Team
Vincent Ngetich – 2:03.13
Kelvin Kiptum – 2:00.35
Eliud Kipchoge – 2:01.09
Timothy Kiplagat – 2:03.50
Cyprian Kotut – 2:04.23
Titus Kipruto – 2:04.54
Amos Kipruto – 2:03.13
Bernard Koech – 2:04.34
Benson Kipruto – 2:04.02
Geoffrey Kamworor – 2:04.23