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The men’s and women’s marathon teams for the 2024 Olympic Games have been announced by Athletics Kenya.

The team comprises strong contestants, and this shows an intent by AK to conquer the world again during the August global bonanza.

Eliud Kipchoge leads the men’s squad, which also has Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat, and Alexander Mutiso.

The death of Kelvin Kiptum denied global spectators a match between him and Kipchoge. The Kipchoge-Kiptum potential match was tipped to be a competitive future showdown in the marathon world before the record holder lost his life in a road accident early this year.

Women’s squad

Peres Jepchirchir, the defending champion, leads the women’s squad. This is a chance for Jepchirchir to try and win a second consecutive title at the Olympics. Before fully focusing on the Olympics, she will take part in the London Marathon first.

New York City and Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is also on the team. After victories in world majors such as the New York Marathon and the Boston Marathon, Obiri will hope to make history in Paris as she will be chasing the global title, which will of course crown her stellar career.

The Kisii Express, as Obiri is famously known, will first have to go and conquer the Boston course before setting eyes on the Paris dream.

Brigid Kosgei has also been named in the final team, and her major dream is to improve her performance at the Olympics, especially after finishing second in Tokyo, Japan, in the 2020 games.

The Abu Dhabi Marathon champion has had to deal with injury setbacks but hopes to carry a fit body going into the August showdown.

Ruth Chepng’etich, the two-time champion in Chicago, has been shortlisted and is Paris-bound. Chepng’etich’s hope is to win an Olympic title, and this must be her driving force during the duel.

The Paris team’s calibre has been improved by the inclusion of Sharon Lokedi, who is the 2022 New York City Marathon champion.

Rose Mary Wanjiru, last year’s Tokyo Marathon champion, is also going to carry Kenya’s flag after being named in the star-studded team.