Kenyans have expressed deep concern over the conspicuous silence of Eliud Kipchoge, the former record holder and fellow Kenyan, regarding Kelvin Kiptum’s remarkable feat of breaking the men’s marathon world record in Chicago, USA, just 48 hours ago. Despite Kiptum’s astonishing achievement of finishing the marathon in 2 hours, 35 seconds, surpassing Kipchoge’s previous record by 34 seconds, there has been no public congratulatory message or acknowledgment from Kipchoge on social media.
Kiptum’s victory left the nation in awe, and many Kenyans took to the internet to shower him with praise for bringing honor to their country and achieving what had seemed like an unattainable record. Prominent figures like President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua joined in celebrating Kiptum’s success, with Ruto hailing him as the “new King of Marathon” and acknowledging his historic achievement.
However, the legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, whose record was eclipsed, remained notably silent, refusing to make any statement on his social media channels. This silence was met with growing anticipation from Kenyans, who eagerly awaited a sportsmanlike gesture from Kipchoge, such as a congratulatory tweet or a message embracing national pride.
As hours turned into days, Kenyans grew increasingly frustrated with Kipchoge’s lack of acknowledgment. Some users expressed disappointment, while others accused him of being envious or unsupportive. However, a few defended Kipchoge, emphasizing that there was no legal obligation for him to issue public statements on such matters and encouraged giving him some space.
In summary, Kenyans have expressed their disappointment and frustration at Eliud Kipchoge’s silence in response to Kelvin Kiptum’s historic marathon achievement, highlighting the expectation of good sportsmanship and national unity in such situations.