Kenya marathon superstar Eliud Kipchoge has explained how the doping menace can be countered.

The vice has been a big issue, especially within the athletic fraternity in the country, where some athletes have been banned for the use of prohibited substances.

To Kipchoge, the problem can only be dealt with through vigorous testing, unlike the current trend of educating athletes on the negative side effects of doping.

Kipchoge’s solution

“Many people are going into shortcuts to advance. I think doping is there… It’s all more about getting rich because everybody who is doing doping knows what is going on.

“Just pump everything into testing, put testing as a first priority, and all will be well. The moment we prioritise testing and we register those who are handling the athletes across the country, we have the right data to know who is who in the whole country.

“But if we really ignore the people who are working with athletes and the athletes themselves, then we are in danger,” Kipchoge explained.

The marathon legend also spoke about his recent failures during the Boston Marathon. Despite not impressing, Kipchoge is hoping to have a successful outing in the upcoming Olympic Games that will be held in Paris, France.

He will be heading to the next Olympic Games boosted by his top achievements across previous marathons.

Widely regarded as the greatest runner of all-time, he set a world record of 2:01:09 in Berlin in 2022 and enjoys an incredible 15 wins in the 18 marathons in which he has participated.

“The priority now is to focus on the Olympics and win a third time. The other (challenges) will come later,” Kipchoge, who always trains at Kaptagat, added.

In 2019, he broke the mythical two-hour barrier over 42.195 kilometers in Vienna, Austria, but his record time of 1:59:40 was not registered as an official record because it was not in open competition.

Winning gold medals in 2016 and 2021 put him on par with Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila, who won his medals in 1960 and 1964, and Waldemar Cierpinski of East Germany, who collected his in 1976 and 1980. Should he collect a gold medal in the Paris Olympics next year, he would be the undisputed heavyweight in the marathon.

It was in Paris that Kipchoge won his first international gong in 2003 when he was 18. Then, he clinched the world championship title at the 5000 meters, beating the established Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco and Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele.

Kipchoge’s Boston struggle

In the Boston Marathon on April 17, he ended up finishing sixth after dropping from the lead group in the 30th kilometre. Given his stature in marathons, this was viewed as a big defeat for the 38-year-old.

“I’m trying to forget what has happened in Boston. It’s caught in my mind, but I believe that what has passed has passed,” Kipchoge said as he admitted that the Boston struggle dampened his spirit.

Although he faced difficulties on hilly courses in Boston and New York, he is not concerned despite the fact that he will also confront such terrain in Paris.

“It is not really a concern, but I respect everybody’s thoughts. I think it was a bad day, and every day is a different day. I’m looking forward to next year. Everybody can write anything; you have no control. But I know myself,” he continued.

The long-distance runner is preparing for his final marathon of the year but could not confirm which event that will be.

“I’m doing well. My training is going on in a good way. At the end of July, I will know where to go.”

The Berlin Marathon has been scheduled for September, the Chicago Marathon is set to take place on October 8, and the New York event has been slated for November 5.

As he approaches the sunset of his career, Kipchoge can look back and be proud because of the emergence of new marathon stars.

Kelvin Kiptum, 23, won the London Marathon in April in 2:01:25, and this is the second fastest time in history and just 16 seconds away from Kipchoge’s own world record.

“I want to be an inspiration, and I trust that breaking the world record twice is an inspiration to many young people. I trust they will want more and even beat my records,” he said about the emerging stars.