Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola has delivered a masterclass in solo front running to win the Olympic men’s marathon in Paris as Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, who had been bidding for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic crown, has failed to finish.
Belgium’s Bashir Abdi took silver, improving on his bronze from the Tokyo Games, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto claimed bronze.
Tola built a strong lead early on and crossed the finish line in two hours, six minutes and 26 seconds, an Olympic record that is especially impressive given the course was the toughest of any Olympics or championship, according to World Athletics.
“My intention was just to keep up with the people who were going out, and then after some point, I decided to try to push on my own,” Tola said.
“But I was afraid, and I was having difficulties when I was climbing up the uphill. I felt confident after the 41st kilometre [25th mile], only one more to go. Until then, I was looking back, and I was not sure.”
Emerging from a pack of frontrunners from the first steep ascent of an exceptionally hilly course, the former cross-country specialist seemed only to strengthen on the second hill as others faded behind him.
The 32-year-old had an 18-second lead by the 35km (21.7-mile) mark, which he extended as the Eiffel Tower came into sight and crowds lining the streets roared him on. He became the first Ethiopian winner of the Olympic men’s marathon in 24 years.
