BTN News: In an unexpected turn of events, the Ethiopian runner Tamirat Tola claimed the Olympic marathon gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, smashing the previous Olympic record with a remarkable time of 2:06:26. This triumph, marked by both surprise and endurance, unfolded on a grueling course through the picturesque yet challenging terrains of Paris, leaving the world in awe. Tola’s victory wasn’t just a win for Ethiopia, but a momentous achievement in the world of athletics, marking a significant chapter in Olympic history. He finished ahead of Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, who secured the silver, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, who took home the bronze. The marathon, which was anticipated as a showdown between the legendary Kenenisa Bekele and the double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, turned into an electrifying race full of twists and unexpected turns.
As the race commenced, the focus was squarely on Bekele and Kipchoge, both giants in the sport, with Kipchoge aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic marathon title. However, the marathon course, stretching over 42 kilometers and 195 meters, with its brutal undulations and steep inclines, had different plans for the favorites. Bekele, struggling to keep pace, began to fall behind as early as the first third of the race, ultimately finishing in a disappointing 39th place, trailing Tola by nearly six minutes. Meanwhile, Kipchoge’s quest for a third gold was cut short due to physical discomfort, forcing him to withdraw at the 31-kilometer mark—a shocking development for fans worldwide.
The race, described by many as a “leg-breaking” challenge, took runners through the demanding Altos del Sena, with its notorious 17 kilometers of relentless hills and descents. These included ramps with gradients between 6% and 8%, and a daunting 600-meter stretch with a gradient exceeding 10%. Early in the race, the Ugandan world champion Victor Kiplangat and China’s Shaouhui Yang led the charge, setting a brisk pace at the forefront of the pack.
Despite the grueling nature of the course, Tola made his move around the midway point. He took control of the race just before the descent, passing the halfway mark in 1:04:51, while Spain’s Ibrahim Chakir, the best among the Spanish contingent, trailed by a minute. By the time the runners reached the iconic landmarks near Versailles, Tola was among the eight athletes at the front, which included the American Conner Mantz and fellow Ethiopian Deresa Geleta, the winner of the 2023 Seville Marathon.
As the race progressed beyond the 25-kilometer mark, where Japan’s Akira Akasaki briefly held the lead, the front pack began to splinter. Tola regained the lead just before tackling the steepest ascent—a 600-meter climb with a punishing 14% incline. From there, Tola’s dominance became evident as he surged ahead during the descent, covering the 30-kilometer mark in an impressive 1:31:12. His closest competitors, Geleta and Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, tried to keep up but eventually fell behind.
In the final stages, the fight for the podium intensified. Bashir Abdi and Benson Kipruto emerged as Tola’s closest rivals, closing the gap as they approached the finish line. However, Tola maintained his lead, crossing the finish line 21 seconds ahead of Abdi, who clocked 2:06:47 to claim silver. Kipruto followed closely, securing the bronze with a time of 2:07:00.
For the Spanish athletes, Ibrahim Chakir was the best finisher, coming in 34th place, 5 minutes and 18 seconds behind Tola. His compatriots Yago Rojo and Tariku Novales finished 46th and 68th, respectively, with Novales particularly struggling on the demanding course, finishing 19 minutes and 24 seconds after Tola.
Tamirat Tola’s victory in Paris not only highlights his exceptional talent and strategic prowess but also cements his status as a formidable force in marathon running. His Olympic record-breaking time on such a tough course is a testament to his endurance and determination. This race, initially expected to be a clash between the sport’s titans, instead turned into a showcase of resilience and strategy, with Tola emerging as the unlikely hero of the day. This historic marathon will be remembered not just for Tola’s record-breaking win, but also for the unexpected twists that redefined the expectations of Olympic competition.
