REPORTING. 999 days before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kipchoge capsizes the crowd during the “marathon for all” – franceinfo

It is a white star which pierces the sky-blue melee. After about ten minutes of effort, Eliud Kipchoge, double Olympic champion and world record holder in the marathon, finishes his race, in the middle of the anonymous, Sunday October 31st. The meteor has just climbed up the famous Parisian avenue so quickly that some have preferred to follow its trail … by bike.

Eliud Kipchoge, winner in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020, then the first runner to finish a marathon under the 2:02 mark in Berlin in 2018 is not here to make up the figure. The star of the discipline is the guest of honor on this day. But the guest is not king: for this 5,000 meters, he is challenged by 3,500 amateurs and must start with a time handicap. With 999 days before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, the goal is to finish before the Kenyan. The reward: getting your bib in order to participate in the “marathon for all”, which will open the Paris Olympics in 2024. Upon his arrival, around him, between cries and tears, some collapse on the barriers while others take advantage of the empty Champs-Elysées to extend the pleasure over a few meters.

For them, the adventure began early this morning, shortly after 8 a.m. The Charles de Gaulle-Étoile stop of the Paris metro looks like a first departure gate. In the underground alleys, onlookers are in the minority against the many runners, already ready to do battle. They are easily recognized, with their neon shoes and colorful t-shirts. This flashy yellow to match the green that gives a professional look to any Sunday runner. This is the main objective of this race. Organize a popular event, where “everyone has a chance ” explains afterwards Tony Estanguet, himself qualified after beating Kipchoge.

And on the starting line, a lot of fans are at the rendezvous. Posted in first place, Auguste has been present since 7 a.m. His eyes shining a few minutes before the start, he tells us: “Jam used to running, especially on half marathons. My goal is really the Paris marathon in 2024. I have never run one and it would be wonderful to be able to participate. ” While all his competitors in airlock number 1 only have eyes for Kipchoge, who has just started his warm-up a few meters away, Auguste continues with a smile: “It’s exciting to be able to run next to him.

A few meters further, it is the same excitement that drives Louis and Simon. The two friends develop: “We have the Champs-Élysées for us today, it’s magnificent! Kipchoge is an international star, he’s a bit of an idol, that’s why it’s beautiful too. If we finish before him, that’s just a bonus, but it’s already great to be here “.

When he arrives at the warm-up, the marathon boss is cheered by the runners and the public. Some people abandon their own training to try to see Kipchoge rehearse his scales. The double Olympic champion, him, connects the smiles and the thumbs in the air.

At 10 a.m., the pistol detonated. The first participants set off, those who plan to run at a pace between 6 and 8 km / h. A few minutes apart, four other blows slam, for as many starting airlock. One minute after the last airlock, it’s his turn. The Kipchoge rocket can take off. He must now return to the 3,500 participants. Very quickly, the Kenyan confirms that he will not offer victory for free to his competitors. “He caught up with me after 600 meters “, explains Martin, left in the fifth and last airlock.

“I followed him for 200 meters for the kif then I finished the race quiet. I think all of airlock 1 qualified, but nobody qualified in airlock 5. It wasn’t very fair but the event was good and then I could see it [Eliud Kipchoge] up close and that was the most important thing for me “.

A lack of equity supposedly also regretted by other participants, aggrieved by the time difference between the different departures.