President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday congratulated Marathon World Record holder Eliud Kipchoge for winning the Best Male Athlete award in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In a statement, Uhuru said the award by the Association of National Olympics Committees is a global recognition of Kenya’s prominence as a sporting nation.
He called on upcoming athletes to emulate Kipchoge’s determination, humility, hard work, and patriotism as they build their careers.
Kipchoge who received the award on Sunday, October 24, 2021, said he was happy to bring hope as the world faces the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is an honour to win the ANOC Award for the Best Male Athlete at the Tokyo Olympics. With so many beautiful performances by so many athletes, I am proud to be the recipient of this award. Thank you all for your great support,” he said.
He was nominated for the award alongside nine others, including Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei who finally clinched his first Olympic gold in the men’s 5000m race at the Tokyo Games in August.
The world record holder for the men’s marathon was crowned victor in 2018 and 2019 but missed out last year.