The athletics community is reeling from a fiery outburst by Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon, who shattered her usual poise to fiercely defend her senior mentor, Eliud Kipchoge, following his controversial withdrawal from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. After waves of fan criticism labeling Kipchoge’s decision as a “cop-out” for a 40-year-old legend, Kipyegon could no longer hold back, unleashing a shocking 11-word bombshell aimed squarely at the “anti-fans”: “What more do you want from a 40-year-old man?” Her raw emotion sent shockwaves rippling through social media and the track world, exposing deep frustrations over the relentless scrutiny of Kenya’s marathon icon.
Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and former marathon world record holder, opted out of Tokyo voluntarily to pave the way for younger Kenyan talents, as confirmed by Athletics Kenya. But the move ignited backlash, with detractors questioning his form after recent struggles, including a DNF at the Paris Olympics due to a back injury and a 10th-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon. Fans accused him of dodging competition, ignoring his sacrifices for Kenya— from breaking barriers with the sub-two-hour marathon to inspiring generations. Kipyegon, who trains under the same coach as Kipchoge and credits him for her mindset in record-breaking pursuits like her sub-four-mile attempt, snapped. “He’s sacrificed everything for our country—look at Eliud Kipchoge’s achievements!” she raged, her voice trembling with fury. Revealing the toll of his “very serious injury,” she pleaded, “Pray to God to protect Eliud Kipchoge—stop the criticism!”
This uncharacteristic loss of composure from the triple Olympic 1500m gold medalist—who dominated Tokyo with a historic fourth world title—highlights the toxic side of fandom. Kipyegon, fresh off shattering records and extending her global reign, has long drawn lessons from Kipchoge’s resilience, even as he faces online abuse post-tragedies like Kelvin Kiptum’s death. Her defense underscores a mentor-protégé bond forged in Kenya’s Rift Valley, where Kipchoge’s legacy as a national hero clashes with modern expectations. Social media erupted, with #ProtectKipchoge trending alongside debates on athlete burnout at 40. Has the pressure on legends like Kipchoge gone too far? Kipyegon’s plea demands reflection: celebrate sacrifices, not scrutinize scars. As Kenya eyes future dominance, this scandal could redefine respect in athletics—will fans heed her call, or fuel more division? The track just got a lot more personal.
