Eluid Kipchoge during the 2023 Berlin Marathon /FILETwo-time Olympic marathon champion Elid Kipchoge hopes to leverage his two-decade experience in sport to bridge the gap between athletes and federations if elected Athletes’ Representative at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya elections on April 25.
Kipchoge has been proposed by Athletics Kenya to join the umbrella body to champion sportsmen and sportswomen’s agenda alongside Kenya Rugby Union’s pick of Grace Adhiambo.
Speaking Monday, Kipchoge said: “I want to be the messenger or ambassador between the athletes and their federations.”
He hopes to make the role inclusive by ensuring “every athlete’s voice is heard in matters education, empowerment and holistic living.”
“I think this is the right time (to be athletes’ representative) since I have been in the sport for more than 20 years,” he said, adding: “I have asked myself, what will I offer the sport for the next 20 years?”
“I need to give back to society through sport.”
Kipchoge believes he has experienced the lows and highs of sport, from junior ranks to five Olympics, featuring in track, cross country and the roads.
“I have been up the mountain, and I have been at the base of the mountain. I know how it feels when you are up the mountain and how it feels to be at the base of the mountain,” he said.
“I know of the pressure from family, teammates, coaches, federations, government and the world of sports. I want to share my knowledge (with the athletes) on how to handle this pressure.”
He will be available to the athletes, to “consume” what they present to him, and ensure he gets them the response they deserve.
This includes being treated right by federations, administrators, government and all others involved in sports.
“I will be checking on every sportsmen and sportswomen wherever he or she will be, if not face-to-face, through technology,” he committed.
He will consider feedback offered in regard to challenges affecting the athletes from all the Nock-affiliated federations and find ways and means of tackling them.
Kipchoge’s first act, if elected, “will be to write a huge proposal in as far as facilities are concerned and present it to the corporate world and the government” for execution.
He wants federations to be key in ensuring athletes reach the top level.
“Federations must be the main system of channeling to the Nock. Athletics Kenya has been the best system in exposing my career and those of other people,” he said.
In drumming support for Kipchoge, Athletics Kenya, through president, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, said: “Eliud Kipchoge is not just an incredible athlete, he is a beacon of athletics in our country. That is why we are honoured to nominate him for the position.”
“His achievements, from his early success in track to becoming the only person to run a marathon in under two hours, are a testament to his discipline and unwavering commitment.”
“His efforts to enhance education through the establishment of a library and being an ambassador demonstrate his desire to contribute to the greater good in society. We believe this holistic approach makes him an ideal candidate for the athlete representative role.”
AK observed Kipchoge has demonstrated a deep commitment to athlete welfare, education and advocacy for clean sport, which, combined with an understanding of the challenges facing sportsmen and sportswomen, makes him a strong candidate to advocate for athletes’ rights at Nock.
