2024 Olympic Games: Kipchoge, Jepchichir in as AK unveils formidable final squad

Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir have been granted chances to defend their Olympic titles after Athletics Kenya unveiled a final squad for the July-August games.

A team of three people for both men and women has been unveiled by AK with one reserve for each side.

Kipchoge, who is looking to win three Olympic titles and make history in the process, will lead the men’s team, which also has Alexander Mutiso and Benson Kipruto. 

Kipchoge’s inclusion in the team comes despite struggling during the recent outing in Tokyo, a marathon race won by his teammate Kipruto.

Kipruto showed character and resilience on the Tokyo course as he completed the race in 2:02:16, taking a chunk off his personal best of 2:04:02, which was set in Chicago in October last year. He also moved to fifth on the world all-time list, and on his part, Kiplagat improved by almost a minute, running 2:02:55.

Mutiso’s inclusion in the final squad comes after his recent exploits in the London Marathon. He won the men’s race in 2:04:01 and beat Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia by 14 seconds.

Timothy Kiplagat, who was second to Kipruto in Tokyo, has been listed as a reserve.

Jepchirchir, on the other hand, will lead the formidable women’s team. Her inclusion comes after claiming the London Marathon, where she posted a new record in the women’s-only category.

In London, she managed to beat a strong field to emerge the winner as the Olympic champion completed the race in 2:16:16 and emerged on top of what was widely regarded as one of the deepest and highest-quality women’s fields ever assembled.

Jepchirchir will have Hellen Obiri and Brigid Kosgei as her rivals in Paris. Obiri defended her Boston Marathon title last month, and this makes her one of the pre-race favourites.

Kosgei will appear at the Olympic arena once again to try and win gold after claiming silver in the Tokyo Games in 2021, when she finished behind Jepchirchir.

Sharon Lokedi, who is also a formidable force in the long-distance competition, has been selected as a reserve.

Final team

Men’s team: Eliud Kipchoge, Benson Kipruto, Alex Mutiso

Reserve – Timothy Kiplagat

Women’s team: Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri, Brigid Kosgei

Reserve – Sharon Lokedi