Kipchoge champions for teamwork for Kenya's success in Paris

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge reckons that teamwork will be key for the Kenyan marathon team to post good results at the Paris Olympics slated for July 26-August 11.

On Wednesday, Athletics Kenya (AK) unveiled the final lineup of marathoners who will represent the country in Paris.

Kipchoge leads the men’s team, joined by London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, with Timothy Kiplagat as the reserve.

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir heads the women’s squad alongside Olympic silver medallist Brigid Kosgei and Chicago Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, with Sharon Lokedi as the reserve.

Kipchoge highlighted the need for a collective effort to put the country's name on top of the medal standings in Paris.

"We are going to Paris as a team, not as individuals. This is a global championship, it’s not a World major Marathon. Teamwork will be crucial in achieving success for our country," Kipchoge mentioned.

With only three months left to the global extravaganza, Kipchoge vows the team will intensify training for the Paris showdown, aiming to represent Kenya at their best.

"For the next three months, we are going to intensify our training to be ready. Our target is to represent our country to the best of our abilities," the seasoned Marathoner noted.

The team will undergo rigorous training in Eldoret under the guidance of coaches Amos Korir, Nicholas Koech and Patrick Sang, with former World record holder Mary Keitany as the team’s coordinator.

Kipchoge will be eyeing a historic third Olympic Marathon title in Paris, having triumphed in Rio 2016 and the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Jepchirchir will also be looking to defend her 2020 Olympic title with Kosgei hoping to upgrade her silver to gold.

Expressing gratitude to AK and the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), Kipchoge stated, "We thank AK and NOC-K for entrusting us to represent Kenya. All that’s left for us is to do our best and make sure we come up with the medals."

National team coach Julius Kirwa highlighted the tough selection process to come up with the final three.

"This was one of the toughest selections we have ever had. It was a head-scratcher. We sat for close to five hours deliberating on the final squad," Kirwa stated.

He however exuded confidence in the team posting good results at the Paris showdown.

"The team is a strong one. We have assembled the best there is in the country. We expect them to give us good results in Paris," Kirwa stated.