Athletics Kenya has unveiled the marathon team that will represent the country at the Paris Olympics Games slated to start July 26.
In a statement, AK said two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and former World Record holder Brigid Kosgei will be part of the team.
“Reigning Olympic champion Peres Chepchirchir and Hellen Obiri are also part of the star-studded team that will start training immediately to prepare for the games,” AK said.
The women’s team also comprised Ruth Chepng’etich, Rosemary Wanjiru and Sharon Lokedi.
Kipchoge’s teammates in the men’s squad include Vincent Kipkemboi Ng’etich, Timothy Kiplagat, Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso.
“The team has since been handed over to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya and will be coached by coaches Amos Korir, Nicholas Koech and Patrick Sang,” AK said.
It added that former marathoner Mary Keitany has been named as the team coordinator.
The late World Record holder Kelvin Kiptum who became the first man to run under two hours and one minute last year would have been part of Team Kenya.
Shortly after setting the world record at the Chicago marathon, Kiptum had set his eyes on breaking the 2-hour mark in Rotterdam in April and winning gold at the Olympics in Paris.
Kiptum shaved over 30 seconds off Kipchoge's record at the Chicago marathon to clock 2:00:35.
He died in a road crash on February 11 alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
There are 329 medal events in this year’s Olympic Games which will run from July 26 through to August 11, 2024.
One notable change from previous Olympic Games is the addition of an extra day to the swimming schedule, meaning there will be action in athletics, artistic gymnastics and swimming – three of the most anticipated sports worldwide – on the same day on August 3 and 4, 2024.
The men’s marathon final has been scheduled among 39 gold medal events on Saturday, August 10 while the women’s marathon final has been scheduled on the final day of the Olympics, Sunday, August 11, 2024.
