Without a doubt, Kenyans on social media are super excited about Eliud Kipchoge’s massive victory after he was awarded the most prestigious award in the world of Athletics.
Yesterday evening, in a decorated ceremony attended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe and the Prince of Monaco, Kipchoge was crowned the Male World Athlete of the Year in the just concluded 2018 IAAF awards.
Athletics is the one thing that unites Kenyans despite which ethnic group one identifies with. Despite the fact that most runners hail from the Kalenjin community, when one wins, the entire country wins and we all rally up together to support them. Don’t you wish the same could be said about politics in the country?
Led by President Uhuru Kenyatta who had in the past called upon Kenyans to vote for Kipchoge, Kenyans on Twitter have celebrated and praised the Olympic champion for flying the Kenyan flag so high.
https://twitter.com/UKenyatta/status/1070168343473283072
“Congratulations @EliudKipchoge for winning the 2018 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year Award. Your dominance in the marathon has not only propelled you to the history books of icons, but has also ensured Kenya remains a world leader in Athletics. We are very proud of you,” said the President in a tweet.
Take a look at what other Kenyans had to say about Kipchoge’s victory at the 2018 IAAF Awards:
Our Kenyan Hero Eliud kipchoge,Conratulations for keeping Kenyan flag high after winning the award as the 2018 best marathon runner.
This will give the rest of athletics morale to do even better than yourself.— SENATOR PAUL NJOROGE BEN (@BENNJOROGE20) December 5, 2018
@Eliud kipchoge Discipline, Dedication and hard work leads to be successful. Well deserved, congrats
— Wilbert gari (@Wilbertgari) December 5, 2018
Eliud Kipchoge is a legend. A true son of Kenya. A testimony. A hero and a mentor to thousands if not millions of young athletes. And winning the 2018 Male Athlete of the Year is no mean feat. Congratulations. #AthleticsAward.
— Frank Ochari (@frank_ochari) December 5, 2018
@UKenyatta @WilliamsRuto Methinks its time we should build a statute to honour Eliud Kipchoge!!congratulations son of the soil.
— Mwalimu Henry Newnex (@HMcopiyo) December 5, 2018
Congratulations to Eliud Kipchoge for being named IAAF Male Athlete of the Year 2018 at awards ceremony in Monaco. A legend of the game, Kipchoge deserves the highest accolade for his prowess, consistency, tact, endurance, dominance and strength of character. #AthleticsAwards pic.twitter.com/fkhcbszhD1
— Captain Dominic (@CaptainDominicO) December 5, 2018
Congratulations Eliud Kipchoge the IAAF 2018 Male Athlete of the Year.We celebrate the lessons of life that are exhibited through you namely; hard work, resilience, persistence, patience, faith&teamwork. We are proud of you. Once again receive my hearty felicitations.
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) December 5, 2018
The Deputy President was not left out in celebrating the man of the moment. On his part, Ruto said that Kipchoge’s win was a thrilling and proud moment for Kenya as a country adding that his latest feat elevates him to the top of world athletics and assures his place in the country’s history books.
“Congratulations to Eliud Kipchoge for being named IAAF Male Athlete of the Year 2018 at awards ceremony in Monaco. A legend of the game, Kipchoge deserves the highest accolade for his prowess, consistency, tact, endurance, dominance and strength of character. #AthleticsAwards,” said Ruto in a tweet.
Congratulations to Eliud Kipchoge for being named IAAF Male Athlete of the Year 2018 at awards ceremony in Monaco. A legend of the game, Kipchoge deserves the highest accolade for his prowess, consistency, tact, endurance, dominance and strength of character. #AthleticsAwards pic.twitter.com/1t7RGS3kw6
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) December 4, 2018
While it’s all nice and fancy that Kenyans and their leaders celebrate athletes like Kipchoge when they raise the Kenyan flag high, as a country, do you think we are doing enough to honour the men and women who have over the years made Kenya a force to reckon with in the world of athletics?