October 24th marks the UN World Day, a day devoted to making known to people of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations Organization and gaining their support for its work. This year, at only 33 years old, celebrated Kenyan athlete and World Champion, Eliud Kipchoge has a reason to smile after he was named the United Nations Personality of the Year in Kenya.
Kipchoge received the award from Cabinet for Foreign Affairs, Monica Juma at the United Nations office in Nairobi. The world marathon record holder was awarded for his extraordinary performances, his work on HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and his endurance and courage which embody the ideals of the UN.
According to CS Juma, Kipchoge was awarded for his athletic heroism and determination to advance the spirit of sports in Kenya. The CS also added that she had no doubt Kipchoge will take advantage of this opportunity to showcase Kenyan values that are indispensable to the kind of success he now enjoys.
The @UnKenya Resident Coordinator @sidchat1 commends @EliudKipchoge for winning @UN Kenya 🇰🇪 Person of the Year award & thanks him for being a champion of Kenya’s youth. @AminaJMohammed @ASteiner @KenyaGovernors @AmbMKamau @KenyaGovernors https://t.co/4OZKfOaWpY
— UN Kenya (@UnKenya) October 24, 2018
“I thank you for being a great Kenyan who has not just made Kenya proud but all of Africa proud and certainly all of the United Nations proud,” said the UN Kenya resident coordinator, Siddharth Chatterjee.
Kipchoge has in the recent weeks been winning in life and dominating the headlines globally.
“I will use my success story to sensitize people in Kenya about the dangers of HIV and Aids,”said Kipchoge in his speech at the UN Day ceremony.
🚨Alert🚨#AthleticsAwards announcement 🤩@EliudKipchoge is one of 10 nominees for Male World Athlete of the Year 2018✅
Retweet this post to vote for him👇 pic.twitter.com/GQB01Ya6cj
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 23, 2018
On October 23rd, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced Kipchoge as one of the 10 nominees for the Male World Athlete of the Year in the athletics awards.
Eliud Kipchoge also got the ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to sit with renowned journalist Richard Quest. The two casually sat at Karura forest for an interview that Quest said left him ‘steamed and puffed up.”
Speaking at an interview at Kiss FM, Richard Quest said that, “He is amazing and when he talks about his run, he talks about it with a lot of dedication and passion…” referring to Kipchoge.
This year on September 16, 2018, Kipchoge wowed the world when he set a new World marathon record at the Berlin marathon, retaining his title in 2 hours, 01 minutes and 39 seconds.
Kenyans have come out to celebrate the man Eliud Kipchoge who has put Kenya on the map for good reasons.
Congratulations to one of the Greatest Athletes of our time @EliudKipchoge and now a UN Award Recipient! HONGERA Shujaa! @nyar_gero pic.twitter.com/euloiO2714
— Jeff Koinange, MBS (@KoinangeJeff) October 24, 2018
Congratulations @EliudKipchoge for being named UN Person of the Year. The World Marathon record holder was awarded by the UN team in Kenya this morning. Thank you Eliud Kipchoge you make us proud! #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/4gnZ3kCWXH
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) October 24, 2018
“Congratulations @EliudKipchoge for being named UN Person of the Year. The World Marathon record holder was awarded by the UN team in Kenya this morning. Thank you Eliud Kipchoge you make us proud! #TheScoreKE,” said Radio Africa’s sports presenter, Carol Radull.
Congratulations @EliudKipchoge …this is truly deserved after to your making very proud as Kenyans. You are an excellent example of what hard work, determination, discipline, keeping the focus and being prayerful can achieve. Proud of you brother and thanks @UnKenya for this!
— Dr. Masibo Lumala (@DrLumala) October 24, 2018
Do you think Eliud Kipchoge deserved the UN Kenya personality of the year award?