Bekele vs. Kipchoge: The Final Showdown at Paris 2024?

Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge are set to renew their legendary rivalry at the Paris 2024 Olympics, possibly marking their final showdown. Bekele, a three-time Olympic champion, has been named in Ethiopia's marathon squad at 41.

This will be his first Olympic appearance since 2012, following a strong second-place finish at the recent London Marathon. He will face Kipchoge, the Kenyan marathon great aiming to become the first to win three consecutive Olympic marathons after victories in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The Bekele-Kipchoge rivalry began at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, where Kipchoge won gold in the 5,000m, with Bekele taking bronze. Their Olympic battles have been fierce, with Bekele winning gold in the 10,000m at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and the two sharing podium finishes in the 5,000m.

Since transitioning to marathon running in 2013, Kipchoge has cemented his status as an all-time great, with 11 major marathon wins and two Olympic gold medals.

Bekele, despite a promising start and a marathon debut win in Paris 2014, has faced injury challenges. As they prepare to compete in Paris on August 10, this race could be a historic finale to their storied rivalry.