Ethiopian athlete Tamirat Tola claimed victory in the men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, breaking Kenya’s longstanding hold on the event. Tola crossed the finish line with an Olympic record time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi followed, finishing 21 seconds later, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto secured the bronze medal, finishing 34 seconds behind Tola.
The 32-year-old Tola had stepped in as a substitute for his injured teammate Sisay Lemma just two weeks prior to the marathon. Reflecting on his unexpected opportunity, he expressed his readiness and satisfaction with fulfilling his dream, stating, “I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfil my dream. I am very proud, very happy.”
This victory marked Tola’s second Olympic medal; he previously won a medal in the 10,000 meters during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Tola has also made headlines in recent years, breaking a 12-year course record at the New York marathon last year.
Bashir Abdi, aged 35, won his second Olympic medal as well, improving upon his bronze finish at the Tokyo Games. Tola previously bested Abdi in the marathon at the 2022 world championships, where Abdi finished in third place.
British runner Emile Cairess finished fourth in the marathon and even managed a sprint finish after completing the 42-kilometer journey. Two-time defending champion Eliud Kipchoge faced difficulties during the race, falling significantly behind and ultimately not finishing the event.
Since Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich’s win at the 2012 London Olympics, no non-Kenyan athlete had emerged victorious in the men’s marathon until Tola’s achievement on Saturday. Kipchoge was aiming to make history by becoming the first man to win the marathon three times, a feat previously accomplished by Ethiopian Abebe Bikila and Waldemar Cierpinski, who both won consecutively in their respective eras.
In a departure from tradition, the men’s marathon was held earlier in the event schedule, while the women’s marathon is set for Sunday. The course took runners through scenic landmarks around Paris, including Opéra Garnier and the Louvre, but presented challenges due to its hilly terrain.
As runners navigated the route, Tola initially kept pace with competitors Eyob Faniel from Italy and American Conner Mantz, but eventually surged ahead. By the time they reached 35 kilometers, Tola was 18 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Deresa Geleta, who finished in fifth place.
The atmosphere at the race was celebratory, with cheers for each runner at the finish line, contrasting with a previous protest at the Invalides monument site, where farmers had voiced concerns over agricultural restrictions.
The absence of Kenyan world record holder Kelvin Kiptum was felt throughout the race, as he had been considered a strong contender for a gold medal before his tragic passing earlier this year.