The 32-year-old Ethiopian won Olympic gold for the first time. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

With Olympic record: Marathon gold goes to Ethiopian Tola

Tamirat Tola secured the first Olympic marathon victory for an Ethiopian in 24 years in Paris.

August 10, 2024

From: apa/dpa/am

The 2022 marathon world champion triumphed on Saturday on the unusually hilly course with a new Olympic record of 2:06.26 hours ahead of Belgian Bashir Abdi (+21 seconds). Kenyan Benson Kipruto (+34) secured bronze. Tola, who won bronze in the 2016 meters at the 10.000 Games in Rio de Janeiro, improved Samuel Wanjiru's (KEN) marathon Olympic record from 2008 by 6 seconds.

Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge had problems keeping up with the pace of the leaders early on and gradually fell behind. The 10-year-old former world record holder finally gave up around 39 kilometers from the finish.

Tamirat Tola crossing the finish line. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

Ethiopia's running idol Haile Gebrselassie, himself a former world record holder in the marathon, sent the runners on their journey. The course initially led past many sights, over hills to the palace in Versailles and then back to Paris. The pace was initially moderate in the sun and the still pleasant temperatures. Many fans followed the race along the route after the start at eight o'clock.

First, the Italian Eyob Faniel broke away and was 15 seconds ahead of the field at the start of the first long climb after 20 kilometers. When Tola increased the pace and caught up with Faniel, the large group broke apart. On the steep climb before kilometer 30, Tola looked for the decision and was able to break away. Faniel ultimately finished the race in 43rd place (+6.24), Yemaneberhan Crippa was the best Azzurro in 25th place (+4.10).