Eliud Kipchoge receives the Princess of Asturias Award and promises to fight for his third Olympic gold medal

Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge, recent winner of the 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, has made it clear that his goal is bigger than any award: he wants to be the first athlete to win three gold medals in the Olympic marathon. At a press conference prior to the awards ceremony, Kipchoge shared his thoughts on his preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics and innovation in the world of running.

• Discover the Nike Ek Umoja Collection: Run Like a Legend, Live Like a Champion

Kipchoge wants to make history in Paris

Kipchoge, who has become a role model for new generations, is working "hard" to achieve this historic milestone. But it won't be easy, especially with the emergence of compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who recently took the marathon world record from him. Will Kiptum be the obstacle in Kipchoge's camino to his third Olympic gold?

Kiptum's new record

Eliud Kipchoge, who until recently held the world marathon record, was calm and reflective when speaking about the new record set by his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum. The Kenyan shocked the athletics world two weeks ago by breaking Kipchoge's mark, setting a new world record with a time of 2.00:35.

For Kipchoge, this new record came as no surprise. "Sport is about competing, that's the beauty of sport. People are working hard," he said. Rather than seeing it as a threat to his legacy, Kipchoge sees it as a validation of the competitive spirit that drives athletics. "I'm happy to see records being broken," he added, stressing that the essence of the sport is to push boundaries and set new records.

• Kelvin Kiptum breaks world record at Chicago Marathon and brings Nike back to the forefront with these shoes

Innovation in running

The marathon runner was also in favor of innovation in sports equipment, especially in the development of lighter and more efficient shoes. "Brands must continue to innovate," he said, amid the growing rivalry between Adidas and Nike. Who will win the battle for the fastest shoe on the market?

• The historic battle between Nike and Adidas: From the soccer field to the running track.

Beyond sports

In addition to his sporting achievements, Kipchoge is known for his social work. He plans to set up libraries in every public school in Kenya to provide "proper education for children," especially the youngest ones. He also advocated environmental education as a way to improve people's quality of life.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Kipchoge is more focused than ever. But will he make history, and what impact will his legacy have on the running world and beyond?