Athletics Kenya (AK) has officially announced the marathon team that will represent the country at the upcoming Paris Olympics Games, set to commence on July 26.
The statement released by AK confirms the inclusion of two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and former World Record holder Brigid Kosgei in the team.
“Reigning Olympic champion Peres Chepchirchir and Hellen Obiri are also part of the star-studded team that will start training immediately to prepare for the games,” AK stated.
The women’s team additionally features Ruth Chepng’etich, Rosemary Wanjiru, and Sharon Lokedi.
Joining Kipchoge in the men’s squad are Vincent Kipkemboi Ng’etich, Timothy Kiplagat, Benson Kipruto, and Alexander Mutiso.
“The team has since been handed over to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya and will be coached by coaches Amos Korir, Nicholas Koech, and Patrick Sang,” AK disclosed.
Former marathoner Mary Keitany has been appointed as the team coordinator.
The late World Record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who made history by becoming the first man to run under two hours and one minute last year, would have been part of Team Kenya. Kiptum, who had set his sights on breaking the 2-hour mark in Rotterdam in April and winning gold at the Olympics in Paris, tragically passed away in a road crash on February 11 along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
This year’s Olympic Games will feature 329 medal events and will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
One significant change in the Olympic schedule is the addition of an extra day to the swimming events, leading to simultaneous action in athletics, artistic gymnastics, and swimming on August 3 and 4, 2024.
The men’s marathon final is scheduled among 39 gold medal events on Saturday, August 10, while the women’s marathon final will take place on the closing day of the Olympics, Sunday, August 11, 2024.
