Kiptum ready to battle with Kipchoge at Paris Olympics

The new marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum says he is ready to face off with the Eliud Kipchoge in Paris if he is selected to represent Kenya at next year’s Olympics.

“I’m looking forward to competing with Eliud if I get selected to represent Kenya at the coming Olympics. Am ready to race with him,” said Kiptum.

Kiptum was speaking on Tuesday in Nairobi, back home after winning the Chicago Marathon in a new world record of two hours and 35 seconds.

That mark sliced 34 seconds off the previous best time set by the two-time Olympic champion Kipchoge.

He was awarded Sh5 million by the Government through the Sports Ministry whose Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba reiterated support for athletes.

“We want our athletes to be proud of wearing Kenyan colours, we want them to be proud to compete for Kenya. We want them to be proud of those four colours black, red, green and white. We want you to be proud of our national anthem. So don’t even think of crossing the borders to go and compete for another country,” said Ababu.

Kiptum becomes the second athlete to be feted by the government after Faith Kipyegon was awarded a similar amount back in June 2023 for breaking two world records.