Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has requested for a meeting with former US President Barack Obama.
On Saturday Eliud Kipchoge become the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours.
He covered the 42.2km distance in one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Austria’s capital, Vienna.
It will not be recognised as the official marathon world record but the Kenyan has been celebrated for his achievement.
One of those is President Obama who is a Kenyan born himself.
The former US President was also impressed by the achievement of Brigid Kosgei another Kenyan who also set a new women’s world marathon record.
Celebrating remarkable examples
On Twitter President Obama said ” Yesterday (Saturday), marathoner Eliud Kipchoge became the first ever to break two hours.
Today (Sunday) in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s world record. Staggering achievements on their own, they’re also remarkable examples of humanity’s ability to endure—and keep raising the bar.”
Yesterday, marathoner Eliud Kipchoge became the first ever to break two hours. Today in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s world record. Staggering achievements on their own, they’re also remarkable examples of humanity’s ability to endure—and keep raising the bar.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 13, 2019
In respond to the praise from Obama, Kipchoge said on Twitter that “Dear Mr. Obama, Thank you for your special words. In life we hope to inspire others. Thank you for inspiring me.
It would be my greatest honour if we could meet, and discuss how we can make this world a running world. As a running world is a peaceful world.”
Dear Mr. Obama, Thank you for your special words. In life we hope to inspire others. Thank you for inspiring me. It would be my greatest honour if we could meet, and discuss how we can make this world a running world. As a running world is a peaceful world. #NoHumanIsLimited https://t.co/RTe2Sf7MwZ
— Eliud Kipchoge (@EliudKipchoge) October 14, 2019
Following his historic achievement Kipchoge said “This shows no-one is limited. Now I’ve done it, I am expecting more people to do it after me.”
In 2017 Kipchoge missed out by 25 seconds in a previous attempt at the Italian Grand Prix circuit at Monza in 2017.
Source: Africafeeds.com
