Many people online have bashed Kipchoge for not congratulating Kelvin Kiptum but Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has different thoughts concerning the same.
Youngster Kelvin Kiptum put up a good fight at this year’s edition of the Chicago Marathon to clinch the title and break Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon world record.
Kiptum clocked 2:00:35 to completely obliterate Kipchoge’s world record time of 2:01:09 that he set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. As per protocol, Kipchoge was required to congratulate his compatriot concerning the feat but he is yet to do so.
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ATHLETICS Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge resurfaces online after world record shakeup
Eliud Kipchoge has emerged from his hiatus after fellow Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum, broke his esteemed marathon world record on Thursday.
Many people have bashed him online for not embracing sportsmanship but Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has different sentiments.
Speaking during Kiptum’s homecoming at the Weston Hotel, Namwamba said: “This is a great moment really and I don’t think anything can take away this historic moment. Sending a congratulatory message is a personal choice.”
The CS went ahead to explain that moments after Kiptum broke the world record, he tried reaching out to him but he could not reach him.
He explained that he then dropped Kiptum a message only for him to read it days after the race.
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“I called Kiptum immediately after his race and I imagined that at that moment it was overwhelming for him to pick the avalanche of calls…I couldn’t find him.
I wrote him a message but he did not have a chance to read it on that day. But I understand the excitement behind the whole success story.
09:30 - 11.10.2023
ATHLETICS Bullish Kelvin Kiptum wants a duel with Eliud Kipchoge at Paris Olympic Games
After his exploits at the Chicago Marathon, Kelvin Kiptum is considering competing at the Olympic Games where he will face off against Eliud Kipchoge.
I’m sure that he will continue receiving messages of congratulations from all over the world,” Namwamba said.