Regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, Kipchoge could win an unprecedented third gold in August. He tells CNN, “My goal is to win for the third time. It will be great. I know it’ll take a lot, both mentally and physically, in training. But all in all, that’s life. Somebody should have a purpose, and our purpose is to make history and move beyond history.”
Speaking about his training regime, Kipchoge says, “I’ve learned that being disciplined actually can propel you to success in sport. Being disciplined can hold you well in life. I always wake up at 5:45 in the morning, for the last 22 years, and that’s what discipline has meant to my mind.”
Teamwork is a key part of Kipchoge’s philosophy, “Teamwork is the real key in sport. I think the marathon or running in general should not actually be treated as an individual sport.”
For Kipchoge, the Olympics are also a platform for showcasing Kenyan excellence and promoting the country’s image globally. “Olympics is the soft spot to meet world leaders in sport and politics, and to sell our country,” he says, highlighting the broader impact of his participation, “This is the soft power, for us to tell people what’s inside Kenya.”
Historically, Kipchoge says, not enough has been done to leverage the positive image that Kenyan athletes are projecting around the globe, “After huge success in the Olympics, I think it’s high time for politicians to use the platform for development, to sell the country.”
Paris could be his last games, and the question of legacy is never far from his mind, “I want to be remembered actually by making this world a running world. I stay motivated actually because I love the sport. I want to use the sport to inspire the next generation.”
He concludes, “I always say anybody actually who is not running is a prisoner. And if you want to get the real freedom, just run, and feel that freedom when you’re running.”
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