Eliud Kipchoge named UN Person of the Year

Eliud Kipchoge./COURTESY
Eliud Kipchoge./COURTESY

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been named UN Person of the Year.

Kipchoge was awarded by the United Nations office in Nairobi on Wednesday by Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma.

He was awarded

for his extraordinary performances, his work on HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and

his endurance and courage.

Juma said he was awarded for his athletic heroism and determination to advance the spirit of sports.

Kipchoge

was feted as the United Nations celebrated

its 73rd anniversary.

The Dutch Embassy was among the first to laud Kipchoge.

“The embassy congratulates marathon runner and world record holder Kipchoge

on winning the UN in Kenya Person of the Year award for his work on combating HIV/AIDS.”

On Tuesday, Kipchoge was nominated for the 2018 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year award amongst other athletes.

The 10 nominees were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of the IAAF.

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