Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP
Tola Tamirat of Ethiopia just ran the race of his life, claiming the marathon gold at Paris 2024 on Saturday (August 10) with a dazzling new Olympic record of 2:06:26! And if that wasn’t enough, he did it as a last-minute substitute, stepping in for his injured teammate Sisay Lemma. Talk about a storybook ending!
Two weeks ago, Tola was just another runner, and now he’s the Olympic marathon champion, standing on top of the world. The marathon course itself was as iconic as the athletes, winding through Paris’s most famous landmarks—from the historic Hôtel de Ville, past the Louvre, to the stunning Palace of Versailles, and finally wrapping up at the legendary Invalides monument. It was a course full of challenges, with a grueling climb and a steep descent to keep things interesting.
Tola played it smart, pacing himself perfectly before making his move at the 35-kilometer mark. When he finally broke away, there was no looking back—except for one quick glance as he crossed the finish line, soaking up the cheers and applause.
The day wasn’t all roses, though. Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, who was aiming to make history as the first man to win three Olympic marathons, faced unexpected challenges and fell behind early. Unfortunately, the marathon great couldn’t finish the race, proving that even legends have tough days.
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