Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola Wins Marathon Gold at Paris Olympics

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Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola powered his way to Olympic gold in the men’s marathon at the Paris Games on Saturday, overcoming a tough course and intense competition.

The 32-year-old runner clocked an impressive 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds, setting an Olympic record on one of the most challenging marathon routes in history.

The race saw Belgian Bashir Abdi take silver, building on his bronze from Tokyo, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto claimed bronze. Tola’s victory was particularly sweet, given that he wasn’t originally slated to compete—he was a late addition to the team after Sisay Lemma withdrew due to injury.

"I just tried to keep up with the pace and then push on my own," Tola said, describing the moment he decided to break away from the pack. "The uphill was tough, but I felt confident after the 41st kilometer."

Tola’s win makes him the first Ethiopian to claim the Olympic men’s marathon gold in 24 years. He was cheered across the finish line by Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie, whom Tola has often credited as his inspiration to pursue marathon running.

Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive gold but struggled with the first major ascent of the course and eventually dropped out. His withdrawal marked a surprising end to his fifth Olympic appearance.

Kipruto, who has the fastest marathon time in the world this year, dedicated his bronze medal to the late Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this year.

The marathon course, which started at Paris City Hall and wound through historic sites like the Louvre and Palace of Versailles, was designed to honor a women’s march during the French Revolution. The event saw 71 finishers, with ten runners unable to complete the race.

The women’s marathon, traditionally held before the men’s, will this year conclude the Olympic athletics program, starting on Sunday at 8 a.m. local time.

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