Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola delivered a stunning performance to win the Olympic men’s marathon in Paris, setting a new Olympic record of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds. In a race marked by a challenging course, Tola outpaced the competition with a masterful display of solo front running, securing Ethiopia’s first Olympic men’s marathon victory in 24 years.
The 32-year-old runner built an early lead, emerging from a pack of frontrunners during the first steep ascent of the hilly course. By the 35-kilometer mark, Tola had established an 18-second advantage, which he extended as he approached the iconic Eiffel Tower, cheered on by enthusiastic crowds lining the streets.
“My intention was just to keep up with the people who were going out, and then after some point, I decided to try to push on my own,” Tola said after the race. “But I was afraid, and I was having difficulties when I was climbing up the uphill. I felt confident after the 41st kilometre [25th mile], only one more to go. Until then, I was looking back, and I was not sure.”
Tola’s victory was particularly remarkable given that he was not initially slated to compete. He was called up to the Ethiopian team after Sisay Lemma withdrew due to a hamstring injury. His win was celebrated by Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie, a double Olympic 10,000-meter champion, who had inspired Tola’s marathon career.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who was aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic title, failed to finish the race. Meanwhile, Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Lawrence Cherono of Kenya were in contention for the remaining podium spots, battling Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, who faded in the final kilometers.
Tola’s triumph adds another chapter to Ethiopia’s storied history in long-distance running, reaffirming the nation’s dominance in the sport.
