Eliud Kipchoge recently met with his hero, former U.S. President Barack Obama. Kipchoge explained how Obama had been his greatest influence, and they planned to work together.
The double Olympic champion gifted Obama specially signed shoes that he used to win a major marathon.
Kipchoge met with the former president of the United States of Kenyan origin just days after competing in the New York Marathon.
Despite placing 17th, his competition in the Big Apple allowed him to complete all of the world’s major marathons.
He promptly announced his new plan, revealing a daring undertaking that will see him compete in seven marathons on all continents over the next two years.
The races will benefit the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports humanitarian initiatives including education.
When he met Obama, whom he described as his biggest influence, the foundation was at the heart of their conversation.
“Our talk was one of contemplation and shared purpose, with a focus on leadership, legacy, and how the next generation might succeed via sports, education, and service.
We also looked into how the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation and the Obama Foundation could partner on issues important to our hearts, including as young leadership, education, and the transformative impact of sports.”
During their meeting, Kipchoge placed a pair of marathon shoes on top of their table as a gift for his hero.
According to Canadian Running, Kipchoge wore the Nike Alphafly 3s at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. It was Kipchoge’s final big running victory, as he crossed the finish line in 2:02:42 for his fifth crown in the German capital.
The sneakers cost around $295, or approximately KSh 38,000. They were the identical shoes used by the late Kelvin Kiptum and Ruth Chepng’etich, who broke marathon world records in Chicago one year apart.
However, after admitting to a drug violation, he was banned from the sport for three years.
By tuko