Covid-19: Eliud Kipchoge takes the jab ahead of Tokyo Olympics

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been vaccinated for Covid-19 as he steps up his preparations for Tokyo Olympics.

Fresh from winning the NN Mission Marathon just over a week ago, Kipchoge was among the athletes who got the jab on Monday at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital.

The Olympic champion said vaccination is important in the fight against the pandemic even as he readies to defend his Olympic title in Japan later this summer.

“My preparations for the Olympic Games are going on well and one of the preparations is to get a jab. We never know what will happen in the future, the vaccine might be a prerequisite going forward so it is good to take the vaccine early enough,” Kipchoge said.

Kipchoge will lead Kenya’s Olympic charge in the marathon alongside Boston and Chicago marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, world marathon bronze medallist Amos Kipruto and London marathon silver medallist Vincent Kipchumba.

The 36-year-old took the vaccine alongside his training mates at the Global Sports Communication including the Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon and former half marathon world record holder Geoffrey Kamworor.

The Ministry of Sports has already vaccinated over 4,000 sports people and personnel in a nationwide programme that concluded a week ago.