Ecstatic Eliud Kipchoge wins major Spanish award

 

Eliud Kipchoge, arguably the greatest marathoner in the world, is ecstatic after receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports this year.

The honour was given to Kipchoge, who has triumphed in 16 of the 18 marathons, at an event on Friday that took place in Spain.

The champion regarded this as a wonderful honour on his X account.

“Receiving the Princess of Asturias Award tonight fulfils me with honour, as it is an acknowledgement for something that I have believed in thoroughly throughout my career,” he wrote.

“To some, running is simply an act of physical movement. But ever since I started running as a young boy in Kapsabet, Kenya, I knew running meant something much greater than that. Running is not just physical movement. Running is a vehicle that has the power to unite us."

The Princess of Asturias Foundation (formerly the Prince of Asturias Foundation) presents a number of awards each year in Spain.

It is awarded to people, groups, or organisations from all over the world who make noteworthy contributions to the humanities, sciences, and public affairs.

Kipchoge was hailed as an unrivalled sporting legend by the foundation's 15-member panel of judges.

"The Jury has valued the figure of the athlete as a role model in world athletics and as the best marathon runner of all time. Two-time Olympic champion and holder of the world record for the race, Kipchoge is the only man in history to have managed to run the 42.195 kilometres in under two hours. However, this feat has not been officially recognized," read part of the statement issued by the judges.

The Princess of Asturias presents the awards each October during a solemn event held at Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, the Principality of Asturias's capital.

Each awardee present at the ceremony is given a diploma, a sculpture made especially for the prizes by the Spanish artist Joan Miró, as well as a pin bearing the Foundation's logo.

Additionally, each category receives a cash award of €50,000 (Sh7.9 million), which is split among all category winners.

They were designated by UNESCO as having made a "exceptional contribution to the cultural heritage of Humanity" in 2004.     BY MPASHO NEWS