Ethiopia‘s Tamirat Tola won the gold medal in the men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, defeating Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge‘s attempt for a third consecutive Olympic title. Tola finished the race in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds, marking the first time an Ethiopian runner has won the Olympic men’s marathon in 24 years.
Belgium’s Bashir Abdi won the silver medal, improving on his bronze from the Tokyo Olympics.Kenya’s Benson Kipruto secured the bronze medal, completing the podium.
Tola took an early lead during the race and maintained it throughout. His decisive move came on the first steep ascent of the hilly Paris course when he broke away from the frontrunners. As the race continued, particularly up the second hill, his advantage grew as other competitors faltered. By the 35-kilometer mark, Tola had an 18-second lead, which expanded as he neared the Eiffel Tower. The cheering spectators along the streets fueled his final push to victory.
Eliud Kipchoge, who is widely considered one of the greatest marathon runners in history, had previously won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. However, his quest for a third consecutive Olympic crown fell short on the challenging Paris course.
Tola’s victory is a significant milestone for Ethiopian athletics, bringing the nation back to the top of the Olympic marathon podium after more than two decades.
Belgium’s Bashir Abdi won the silver medal, improving on his bronze from the Tokyo Olympics.Kenya’s Benson Kipruto secured the bronze medal, completing the podium.
Tola took an early lead during the race and maintained it throughout. His decisive move came on the first steep ascent of the hilly Paris course when he broke away from the frontrunners. As the race continued, particularly up the second hill, his advantage grew as other competitors faltered. By the 35-kilometer mark, Tola had an 18-second lead, which expanded as he neared the Eiffel Tower. The cheering spectators along the streets fueled his final push to victory.
Eliud Kipchoge, who is widely considered one of the greatest marathon runners in history, had previously won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. However, his quest for a third consecutive Olympic crown fell short on the challenging Paris course.
Tola’s victory is a significant milestone for Ethiopian athletics, bringing the nation back to the top of the Olympic marathon podium after more than two decades.
