Same here. I lost most of my interest in this year's Olympic marathon because he won't be there. He would be the future of distance running and I don't believe that we'll see anyone soon with his talent.
Many of his countrymen are currently faster and much more prepared than him. Selecting him for what he did ten years ago just isn't right. He was great once upon a time, but simply doesn't currently deserve it as much as his peers do.
@tquasa07 Yeah but that was 4.5 years ago. Those 4.5 years can make a huge difference, especially when the difference is between being 42 and being 37.
@@tquasa07 That was by far the best marathon he had run in quite some time, and certainly doesn't appear to be a consistent or repeatable result. Olympians should be extremely consistent and reliable, which he is NOT.
Love this video. Agree 100%. Let Bekele go out with one last historic Olympic appearance in his 40's, especially after his smashing the Masters World Record in the marathon. He was a picture of concentration in that race and came in with a great level of fitness and in great shape. He has to be on that Olympic team. His running 2 seconds outside of the world record was only roughly 4 years ago too. I see Bekele as still worthy of the Olympics.
He’s my GOAT in running because of his cross country wins, world & Olympic championships, and the amount of world records he had on the track. He was off breaking Eliud’s record by 1 sec in the marathon!!! Father-Time is definitely adding up to him though.
Kenenisa bekele and haile gebreselassie are the two most impressive long distance runners ever in my opinion. Considering they did such amazing things back in the day when the technology and training methodology isn’t what it is today. Both came from poor farming backgrounds and lived at basically the same village on top of the Ethiopian plateau truly inspiring stories.
God I hate this pathetic argument about technology, you realise when the tech evolves it evolves for all participants right? The best is still the beat regardless of technology.
Yes, they both did. Kipchoge was the next big step and we have been deprived of the next one, with the untimely demise Of Kelvin Kiptum. Each of these great runners have lead the way to a Sub 2 hour marathon. It's not far away
@@Wonderkid44 yeah but you can't equate Joshua cheotegeis 5k world record to eChother. Joshua had objectively better shoes and pacing with the wave lights. Bekele negative spilt his 5k world record with no rabbit. (He dropped the rabbit)
@@xcbaby123 and if cheptegei was running in the same conditions he would do the same thing bekele did and bekele would do what cheptegei is doing at the moment, both top competitors who would shine in any time line. The cream always rises to the top, no matter the conditions.
His 2019 Berlin performance was 4 1/2 years ago. Watching him now is like watching Michael Jordan with the Wizards. MJ had some 40 and even 50 point games once in a blue moon, but he wasn’t the man we remembered in that second 3 peat, let alone the first. Bekele has the right to do what he wants but in my opinion, it’s over. I think the Olympics should be for those that truly deserve the spot and are running at their best. Bekele has earned his money and never has to work again the rest of his life. Let’s those that are aspiring to make a name for themselves and help their families out in Ethiopia and are deserving of that spot on the team that spot. Meritocracy has its place but it applies itself to where you are now. Not where you were 5, 10, or 15 years ago.
@@teshlawaldemariam917yup, and would be amazing to see him against Eluid who apparently hit Father-Time too after Tokyo Marathon, if the Olympics were some kind of US thing, i am sure he would be on the starting line and the race labeled as the LAST DANCE of the Olympics, and his chances will be so high.
This breaks my heart to say this but neither Kipchoge or Bekele should be selected for their country's Olympic team. Why? because Father Time catches up to all of us eventually.
Kipchoge ran 2nd fastest marathon for a Kenyan runner in 2023. Less than 6 months ago. Bekele was 4th fastest Ethiopian last year. If they're not going to run trials for either of these countries then all we have is "recent" results. Since the last Olympics Bekele has gotten 3rd at Berlin, 6th at NYC, 5th at London and 4th in Valencia. If it were up to me for the Ethiopian team I would probably take Tola, Kitata and Bekele. For the Kenyans Chebet, Kipchoge and Albert Korir. Paris is going to be extremely hilly and these guys all have top 6 finishes at Boston or New York. Paris has even more elevation change and will be warm. Guys that are/were good cross country runners do better in races like that.
@@abolition1889 He’s already qualified automatically cause he won the last Olympics and usually reigning champions get a bide unless they can’t due to mainly injuries.
I think that it was a bigger mistake to not select Bekele in 2016. He was just a few seconds away from the WR a few weeks later in Berlin. He would’ve been at least silver in Rio. In Tokyo he probably would’ve been like 7th at best
The Olympic Games has nothing to do with "an ultimate sendoff" or "head-to-head" for Bekele and Kipchoge. Each country should select its finest runners based on present and recent form, and there are plenty of excellent runners to select from.
WTF dude is 41 effin years old running 103:59 about to break more age group records. He could do well in a traditionally highly tactical olympic marathon.
The Ethiopians can give him a marathon spot out of respect, but not for medal hopes. However, in a race as unpredictable as an olympic marathon, one can never rule out Bekele.
ach was. Ten days ago, Tadesse Abraham, same age as Bekele, ran his best ever marathon at the age of 42 and a half, in 2:05:01 - 42 is not too old (and Bekele is still a lot faster even on a not-so-great day). My impression is that Bekele simply doesn't do what it takes to reach the peak he's still aiming for. In 2016 his manager convinced him to spend some weeks in the NL, training, losing weight and listening to his physiotherapists - a few weeks later he almost ran WR - accidentally! Who other than Bekele runs accidental quasi-WRs?? He should probably be locked up in St Moritz until June, far away from his business affairs, and then sent down to zero altitude and 40°C to train some more until the Olympics, and he'd be ready. Heat and elevation are going to be the enemies in Paris.
Tbh bekele should have been picked for 2016 it's pretty crazy he wasn't considering the form he was in same for 2020 but tbh I see why he didn't get picked for 2021, want to give upcomers the chance to run but after 2016 bekele always been the fastest Ethiopian if not off by time so its crazy how he wouldn't be sent as everyone knows a motivated fit bekele is the hardest performer to beat. Also people saying send the better marathon runners but 2016 bekele was the national record holder and still is so arguing there are people better than him is hard to say. Right now maybe but there really isn't a good reason as to why they choose others over him, but I think give him smth to run for and work hard for and train well as I'm sure not alot know this but most marathons bekele ran he was overweight and not training properly till 2019, he finally got slim. In terms of performance bekele when he runs never ran slower than 2 :07 but after Berlin 6 weeks later he did run new York and finish in 2:12 so can't argue with him.
As fast as you run, you can't beat old father time. Regardless what your name is. There's a lot to be said for retiring with dignity, although with these big marathon paydays and the dream of winning an Olympic medal as bait, I can understand why some athletes keep going.
Dude was great. I don't know why people expect athletes in their late 30s or in their 40s to be the best at all times. Especially if they have been competing for 2 DECADES. Not many athletes even make it a decade.
I love Bekele, he's a total legend and a stud, but at this point it feels like he's such a wild card. He could go to Paris and podium, or he could run 8 miles with the front pack and drop out. I'll be honest, I'm not sure it's wise to bring him.
It’s the Olympiad, a world-championship race. The excitement of seeing a face off between Bekele and Chipchoge has cooled off enormously in the last few years and neither runner is at the height of their ability. The national Olympic committees for each country better serve their purpose by selecting the best CURRENT athletes for their respective sports. A matchup between Bekele and Chipchoge now could easily be arranged in another venue…
Funny that Bekele can be the best runner in the USA, Canada and so many other countries. He just needs to change his citizenship to get another olympic shot.
I just hope they select him. regardless of what happens in London marathon. He is a legend of the game not only for Ethiopia, but for the running world too. Pus he deserves after they let him down the last two Olympics. specially the Rio Olympics. both time we saw what happened with those Ethiopian runners. even though they are physically better shape than him. they couldn't win. that because the Olympics isn`t about how great shape you are in. seeing the times its almost about how great tactician you are. none of them runners are better tactician than Bekele. his history of Gold medals speaks for its self. he have experience and knows when and how to attack the race. I believe they are better with him. I just hope he stays injure free and keep the good shape. would be great to see his last dance in summer !
Ethiopia is one of the two best distance running countries in the world and their Olympic team will be formidable. Unless Bekele throws down a very fast time in London(which I do not anticipate) there is no justification for putting him on the team. Past performances do not apply here.
why do they have to retire. Cant they keep breaking age group records. Senior golfer join the senior tour so why cant masters runners keep competing. I run against a lot of older Olympians and record holders from the past
They don't have to retire completely. Dario Cologna, Swiss Nordic skier, 4 Olympic medals, world champion etc. (a mini-Nordic Bekele really) retired from professional sports about 2 years ago. But he continues to participate at (very high) amateur level. Last winter he promptly won the Tour de Ski, amateur category (ahead of another former world champion) - a super hard multi-day race that he had won several times as a professional. He also ran a marathon in 2:28!!!! Which makes him one of the best marathoners in the whole history of Swiss sports (were it not for our current - much better - champs, all of them... African!). He's still a great athlete, even if he now trains a fraction of what he did before and has wholly different ambitions. He now does races that he didn't have time to do before, such as the Engadin ski marathon (which he also prompty won; it doesn't happen every day that an amateur wins this, normally it's professionals). So yes, I agree, Bekele and Kipchoge can run for many more years - amateur marathons come with age categories, so they can win many many more races in their age category also in ten years from now. For now, I think they can both win Olympic medals still though, so there's no need to retire!
The Olympics only comes every 4 years, so the place should go to who is best at the time of selection. There's no room for sentiment. He had his time, but now its time for younger, more reliable guys to have their time.
The fact that he wasn't happy with his NYC Half time shows he was gunning for a time. Unfortunately he is only human and at 41, it is unlikely he will seriously figure........BUT 🤔
He should be selected. I think the only thing that will motivate him now is a last Olympic race and a motivated bekele is one to be reckoned with. If he could run quicker than say 2:03:40 at london then hed be third fastest assuming no one else runs quicker. However i think the federation wont select him for reasons known only to themselves.
I would love to see Bekele and Kipchoge compete. However, the Ethiopian selection committee must make their choice based on what is best and fairest for their country and their athletes. The preferences of Westerners such as myself should not be relevant.
But even if we do get the clash between Bekele & Kipchoge what version of them are we going to get? I wanted to see them race each other when they were both on top. But the truth is we will never see them at their best again. That time is gone.
The 2020 London Marathon in April would've been that race. Bekele had come off the back of that incredible 2:01:41 in Berlin 7 months before and Eliud had had a great 2019 as well. But the start of the Covid-19 pandemic ruined it all. What a race that would've been. Such a shame.
You mentioned he's running a marathon in London in the very near future? Maybe the Ethiopian Olympic Committee is waiting to see how he does in that one before committing to him on the team. Is he still running any good shorter races? Maybe put him in the 10K for a last hurrah in the Paris stadium. Methinks that would be more appropriate considering the Olympic race is usually a slower, non-world-record-pace tactical endeavor and it would be a better sendoff in the stadium in front of the crowd.
How Is 2:04:19 faster than 2:01:10? Also, you say Bekele finished 4th, but a graphic is shown that has him in 1st and also shows 6 times faster than the 2:04:19 you said he ran (graphic says he ran 2:01:41. I’m not sure which times are the right one.
If the Olympics were some kind of US thing, i am sure he would be on the starting line no doubts, after Eliud last marathon in Tokyo, it is clear he hit father-time, so a Father-Time Olympic race between the two would be labeled as the LAST DANCE 😅 (and will have a huuuge chance of winning over Eluid like the old days)
The Ethiopian selection's result's in the men's marathon were abysmal both in Tokyo and in Rio (Lilesa's Rio Silver was the only thing that saved the honour of this great nation). The Ethiopian selection procedures were utter nonsense (was it in 2016 that they did a selection marathon 2 months before the Olympics?? Of course Bekele declined, he's not an idiot). The Olympic marathon in Paris is going to be super slow - super hot temperatures, nasty hills. Experience might be a lot more crucial than youth on such a difficult course. I wish Bekele a great result in London in April and a swift Olympic selection.
The numbers in this video are all over the place. Reed Fischer with a time of 1:06 in 5th and the previous Masters Record in a time of 2:01 seem to be completely wrong. More quality controle is needed.
Father time affects everyone. Bekele and Kipchoge are middle age men now, their bodies simply won't allow them run like men in their 20's. They should run on the senior circuit now or look into another line of work now like coaching
Bekele ran 2:04 just a few months ago. And ran 2:05 last year in London in 2022. He's shown he can still compete with the best even past the age of 40. Why should it mean that he should give up just because he is getting older? Most Olympic marathons are not fast and if Bekele can produce the sort of form that he showed in Valencia then he deserves a chance of selection. It's really up to the individual athlete and how they feel in themselves. If Kenenisa is still feeling good in his running, is enjoying it and doing well, then why shouldn't he continue for a little longer? Kipchoge should be automatically selected given that he is defending champion.
Kenenisa's recent performances only tell that he may well finish the olympic marathon within a top ten position but most unlikely in the top three. He is past his prime. Given that there are scores of other Ethiopian athletes with much better performance, it would not be right to select him and will be very unfair to the athletes who otherwise would perform better than him if selected.
Everybody agrees that he’s one of the greatest runners of all time, but why do you think he’s worthy of being an Olympian this year? He’s not going to win? He would most likely run a time between 2:05-2:07, maybe much slower than this. He’s past the age where miracles happen. He’s still one of the greatest masters runners of all time. Leave him there, to continue doing great things.
It may cost Ethiopia a gold medal, but honestly Kipchoge will dominate a 41 yr old Bekele. Yes Bekele can still do it but it's time to do other things. I say Bekele will run a sub 210 and kipchoge a 205 or slightly lower. Paris is not a flat course. Kipchoge is not done yet. But it will be Bekele' s last race definitely.
If he can break 2:06 at London, take him, if he can’t, and there are 3 other guys in Kenya that are uninjured, and do, take them. If he’s in the 2:05 range come Paris he’s a legit threat to the end as the Paris podium will probably be in the 2:03-2:07 range. At bare minimum in 2:05-2:06 marathon shape he can serve as 30K pacer the race for his countryman to take a podium slot for sure for a race to target sub 2:03. Say what you want about his age but he is an absolute pacing machine, that’s actually valuable because of his experience. He is capable of splitting the contenders from the non contenders. That’s everything at the Olympics.
I think the last commentator might be right about African runners esp those that haven't made big money! The drop out when there's nothing for the effort! And they are not to blame because most of their governments don't reward them for effort! However, me thinks Kipchoge and Bekele will both be selected by their respective countries.Firstly, if not for anything else than "team morale and motivation" for their younger teammates! Secondly, with their experience they will be put there to act as battlefield tacticians who will retreat from the Frontline at the last minute (may be 35k) and let their younger colleagues do the thing!
it's a mistake in the times given in the video. Tadesse Abraham's masters WR currently stands at 2:05:01 (set ten days ago with his victory in Barcelona). His previous one (that Bekele broke) was 2:05:09 or something like that, set in Berlin in 2023.
I belive something missing the political sitution in his home town country is not bad currently there war going on that impacts athletes mind set. Just my thoought ethiopia has been war for five years now... since black people war we dont see this highlighted on media.Ethiopia are gentically fit for this sport not altitude it gentics they will denfiliy produced more keneisa like him for future.
As great as Kenenisa has been, Ethiopia is all about winning Shouldn't and won't be selected when finishing 4 minutes behind the winner in a half marathon
Unfortunately, no. No matter who he is is and what he has achieved, we should not deprive talented and in-form athletes of the opportunity to represent their country.
I would agree with Olympic committee to leave him out. He is aging and most likely to even drop-out of the Olympic marathon. Legendary shouldn't be criteria here. Select the faster youngsters
I keep saying Bekele was soo good and fit in the 2020 London Half Marathon before the Plan-demic came along..... after that he's been fading so badly..😞
Missing Kelvin Kiptum already. The next greatest already was taken from us and the racing field feels so different
Same here. I lost most of my interest in this year's Olympic marathon because he won't be there.
He would be the future of distance running and I don't believe that we'll see anyone soon with his talent.
Many of his countrymen are currently faster and much more prepared than him. Selecting him for what he did ten years ago just isn't right. He was great once upon a time, but simply doesn't currently deserve it as much as his peers do.
4.5 years ago he ran 2:01:41
@tquasa07 Yeah but that was 4.5 years ago. Those 4.5 years can make a huge difference, especially when the difference is between being 42 and being 37.
@@tquasa07 That was by far the best marathon he had run in quite some time, and certainly doesn't appear to be a consistent or repeatable result. Olympians should be extremely consistent and reliable, which he is NOT.
@tquasa07 those 4.5 years are a huge deal. He wasn't 22 4.5yrs ago😂
@@JaySizzor at least still be top 10 on a bad day
Love this video. Agree 100%. Let Bekele go out with one last historic Olympic appearance in his 40's, especially after his smashing the Masters World Record in the marathon. He was a picture of concentration in that race and came in with a great level of fitness and in great shape. He has to be on that Olympic team. His running 2 seconds outside of the world record was only roughly 4 years ago too. I see Bekele as still worthy of the Olympics.
He’s my GOAT in running because of his cross country wins, world & Olympic championships, and the amount of world records he had on the track. He was off breaking Eliud’s record by 1 sec in the marathon!!! Father-Time is definitely adding up to him though.
Cross country is a joke
Kenenisa bekele and haile gebreselassie are the two most impressive long distance runners ever in my opinion. Considering they did such amazing things back in the day when the technology and training methodology isn’t what it is today. Both came from poor farming backgrounds and lived at basically the same village on top of the Ethiopian plateau truly inspiring stories.
God I hate this pathetic argument about technology, you realise when the tech evolves it evolves for all participants right? The best is still the beat regardless of technology.
Yes, they both did. Kipchoge was the next big step and we have been deprived of the next one, with the untimely demise Of Kelvin Kiptum. Each of these great runners have lead the way to a Sub 2 hour marathon. It's not far away
@@Wonderkid44 yeah but you can't equate Joshua cheotegeis 5k world record to eChother. Joshua had objectively better shoes and pacing with the wave lights. Bekele negative spilt his 5k world record with no rabbit. (He dropped the rabbit)
@@xcbaby123 and if cheptegei was running in the same conditions he would do the same thing bekele did and bekele would do what cheptegei is doing at the moment, both top competitors who would shine in any time line. The cream always rises to the top, no matter the conditions.
@@Wonderkid44 he would not run equally to bekele. He had better shoes and perfect pacing. Bekele did it alone. The two runs should never be compared
His 2019 Berlin performance was 4 1/2 years ago. Watching him now is like watching Michael Jordan with the Wizards. MJ had some 40 and even 50 point games once in a blue moon, but he wasn’t the man we remembered in that second 3 peat, let alone the first. Bekele has the right to do what he wants but in my opinion, it’s over. I think the Olympics should be for those that truly deserve the spot and are running at their best. Bekele has earned his money and never has to work again the rest of his life. Let’s those that are aspiring to make a name for themselves and help their families out in Ethiopia and are deserving of that spot on the team that spot. Meritocracy has its place but it applies itself to where you are now. Not where you were 5, 10, or 15 years ago.
He just run Sub 204 just 3 months ago...
so what? just not good enough anymore. its not that difficult.@@teshlawaldemariam917
@@teshlawaldemariam917yup, and would be amazing to see him against Eluid who apparently hit Father-Time too after Tokyo Marathon, if the Olympics were some kind of US thing, i am sure he would be on the starting line and the race labeled as the LAST DANCE of the Olympics, and his chances will be so high.
This breaks my heart to say this but neither Kipchoge or Bekele should be selected for their country's Olympic team. Why? because Father Time catches up to all of us eventually.
I'd think Kipchoge deserves to be selected. He won the last berlin marathon in 2h02'42. He's not the favourite to win but he should get a chance.
Thank you. Doing a 104 in the half marathon will not cut it
@@xt5181they should just rest. The world has moved on leaving them in the dust
@@daverombedza3023 Lol, Kipchoge won Berlin in 2023. This was not 10.years ago you know. 😂
Kipchoge ran 2nd fastest marathon for a Kenyan runner in 2023. Less than 6 months ago.
Bekele was 4th fastest Ethiopian last year.
If they're not going to run trials for either of these countries then all we have is "recent" results.
Since the last Olympics Bekele has gotten 3rd at Berlin, 6th at NYC, 5th at London and 4th in Valencia.
If it were up to me for the Ethiopian team I would probably take Tola, Kitata and Bekele.
For the Kenyans Chebet, Kipchoge and Albert Korir.
Paris is going to be extremely hilly and these guys all have top 6 finishes at Boston or New York. Paris has even more elevation change and will be warm. Guys that are/were good cross country runners do better in races like that.
I'm going to see Bekele running in London. He is my favourite marathoner.
Yes! Make it happen so we can finally see the clash between him and Kipchoge.
Kipchoge might not make the cut as well with his latest showing
@@abolition1889 He’s already qualified automatically cause he won the last Olympics and usually reigning champions get a bide unless they can’t due to mainly injuries.
It is always a pleasure to hear such a report...
My favourite middle distance runner of all time💪👏
I personally think Bekele should work on making World Senior Track & Field Championships.
I think that it was a bigger mistake to not select Bekele in 2016. He was just a few seconds away from the WR a few weeks later in Berlin. He would’ve been at least silver in Rio. In Tokyo he probably would’ve been like 7th at best
The Olympic Games has nothing to do with "an ultimate sendoff" or "head-to-head" for Bekele and Kipchoge. Each country should select its finest runners based on present and recent form, and there are plenty of excellent runners to select from.
Total goat epic runner
WTF dude is 41 effin years old running 103:59 about to break more age group records. He could do well in a traditionally highly tactical olympic marathon.
The Ethiopians can give him a marathon spot out of respect, but not for medal hopes. However, in a race as unpredictable as an olympic marathon, one can never rule out Bekele.
Maybe he's got one left in him???
I like Bekele, but stop dreaming. Father time is undefeated in sports
@@musclelessfitness2045he made it
Re: Too old - in 2016, 41 year old Meb finished 33rd at the Rio Olympics, 8 minutes behind Kipchoge.
ach was. Ten days ago, Tadesse Abraham, same age as Bekele, ran his best ever marathon at the age of 42 and a half, in 2:05:01 - 42 is not too old (and Bekele is still a lot faster even on a not-so-great day). My impression is that Bekele simply doesn't do what it takes to reach the peak he's still aiming for. In 2016 his manager convinced him to spend some weeks in the NL, training, losing weight and listening to his physiotherapists - a few weeks later he almost ran WR - accidentally! Who other than Bekele runs accidental quasi-WRs?? He should probably be locked up in St Moritz until June, far away from his business affairs, and then sent down to zero altitude and 40°C to train some more until the Olympics, and he'd be ready. Heat and elevation are going to be the enemies in Paris.
Amazing and epic video on the legend Bekele. He is still my favourate runner! He better go to the Olympics❤🎉❤
One word " LEGEND "
Typo at 4 minutes. You have the previous masters world marathon record at 2:01:10 rather than 2:05:10.
He has done things you can’t even do anymore. Amazing
Previous men's masters marathon world record was 2:05:10.
Thanks I was confused
Tbh bekele should have been picked for 2016 it's pretty crazy he wasn't considering the form he was in same for 2020 but tbh I see why he didn't get picked for 2021, want to give upcomers the chance to run but after 2016 bekele always been the fastest Ethiopian if not off by time so its crazy how he wouldn't be sent as everyone knows a motivated fit bekele is the hardest performer to beat. Also people saying send the better marathon runners but 2016 bekele was the national record holder and still is so arguing there are people better than him is hard to say. Right now maybe but there really isn't a good reason as to why they choose others over him, but I think give him smth to run for and work hard for and train well as I'm sure not alot know this but most marathons bekele ran he was overweight and not training properly till 2019, he finally got slim.
In terms of performance bekele when he runs never ran slower than 2 :07 but after Berlin 6 weeks later he did run new York and finish in 2:12 so can't argue with him.
You said it all!❤
I really hope to see them both in Olympics!❤
As fast as you run, you can't beat old father time. Regardless what your name is. There's a lot to be said for retiring with dignity, although with these big marathon paydays and the dream of winning an Olympic medal as bait, I can understand why some athletes keep going.
Dude was great. I don't know why people expect athletes in their late 30s or in their 40s to be the best at all times. Especially if they have been competing for 2 DECADES. Not many athletes even make it a decade.
Bekele is my all time favorite....Of course he will be selected...
He is the goat of distance running but selecting him ahead of others better than him right now will not be fair to the younger ones
What a career. I had no idea he was still running. Amazing to be world class for over 20 years now
Let the man RACE. Let us watch and be entertained.
Father TIME has caught up with BEKELE KIPCHOGE now...
Both greats🏆🏆
im wondering if kipchoge will be selected to represent Kenya after his performance in Tokyo
Yeah but he won his marathon (Berlin) before Tokyo
yeah i think he probably will be selected because of berlin 2023 and being defending champion.
The king deserves it. Respect and admiration
They should select the best runners now! out with the old in with the new.
You’re acting as if Kipchoge is hanging it up after Paris, I don’t believe that at all. I think Kipchoge keeps racing for a while.
Kipchoge has said he will keep racing after he retires.
I love Bekele, he's a total legend and a stud, but at this point it feels like he's such a wild card. He could go to Paris and podium, or he could run 8 miles with the front pack and drop out. I'll be honest, I'm not sure it's wise to bring him.
It’s the Olympiad, a world-championship race. The excitement of seeing a face off between Bekele and Chipchoge has cooled off enormously in the last few years and neither runner is at the height of their ability.
The national Olympic committees for each country better serve their purpose by selecting the best CURRENT athletes for their respective sports.
A matchup between Bekele and Chipchoge now could easily be arranged in another venue…
You are talking like there are only two people running in Paris this summer .
It’s amazing that Bekele is still running at all, but running world class times at 41 is amazing.
Olympics is not a 2:02 paced run, it's pure tactics. Shame that Bekele could not represent his country in Tokyo
Funny that Bekele can be the best runner in the USA, Canada and so many other countries. He just needs to change his citizenship to get another olympic shot.
Swiss Athletics adopts him on the spot, I bet :-))))))) :-)))))
The GOAT in all distances
I just hope they select him. regardless of what happens in London marathon. He is a legend of the game not only for Ethiopia, but for the running world too. Pus he deserves after they let him down the last two Olympics. specially the Rio Olympics. both time we saw what happened with those Ethiopian runners. even though they are physically better shape than him. they couldn't win. that because the Olympics isn`t about how great shape you are in. seeing the times its almost about how great tactician you are. none of them runners are better tactician than Bekele. his history of Gold medals speaks for its self. he have experience and knows when and how to attack the race. I believe they are better with him. I just hope he stays injure free and keep the good shape. would be great to see his last dance in summer !
Ethiopia is one of the two best distance running countries in the world and their Olympic team will be formidable. Unless Bekele throws down a very fast time in London(which I do not anticipate) there is no justification for putting him on the team. Past performances do not apply here.
The bekele situation is always good. He's the greatest to do it
Depends on London. He got my hopes so high after Valencia!!
Too GOAT
why do they have to retire. Cant they keep breaking age group records. Senior golfer join the senior tour so why cant masters runners keep competing. I run against a lot of older Olympians and record holders from the past
Age group records should be for kids or people with day jobs.
They don't have to retire completely. Dario Cologna, Swiss Nordic skier, 4 Olympic medals, world champion etc. (a mini-Nordic Bekele really) retired from professional sports about 2 years ago. But he continues to participate at (very high) amateur level. Last winter he promptly won the Tour de Ski, amateur category (ahead of another former world champion) - a super hard multi-day race that he had won several times as a professional. He also ran a marathon in 2:28!!!! Which makes him one of the best marathoners in the whole history of Swiss sports (were it not for our current - much better - champs, all of them... African!). He's still a great athlete, even if he now trains a fraction of what he did before and has wholly different ambitions. He now does races that he didn't have time to do before, such as the Engadin ski marathon (which he also prompty won; it doesn't happen every day that an amateur wins this, normally it's professionals). So yes, I agree, Bekele and Kipchoge can run for many more years - amateur marathons come with age categories, so they can win many many more races in their age category also in ten years from now. For now, I think they can both win Olympic medals still though, so there's no need to retire!
Yes
A good dancer knows when to exit stage!!! 😂😂😂
Wow! The previous masters record was 2:01:10? 3:58
Actually it was 2:05:10.
@@sandyjr5225 mhm
Yes he should be selected
The Olympics only comes every 4 years, so the place should go to who is best at the time of selection. There's no room for sentiment. He had his time, but now its time for younger, more reliable guys to have their time.
The fact that he wasn't happy with his NYC Half time shows he was gunning for a time. Unfortunately he is only human and at 41, it is unlikely he will seriously figure........BUT 🤔
Fair is to advertise objective selection criteria and see who performs on the day. If there is a tie or too close to call, give it to the veteran.
He should be selected. I think the only thing that will motivate him now is a last Olympic race and a motivated bekele is one to be reckoned with. If he could run quicker than say 2:03:40 at london then hed be third fastest assuming no one else runs quicker. However i think the federation wont select him for reasons known only to themselves.
Imagine Kipchoge bekele , Kiptum(RIP)
He is no longer in his prime, but he might just be the goat
I would love to see Bekele and Kipchoge compete. However, the Ethiopian selection committee must make their choice based on what is best and fairest for their country and their athletes. The preferences of Westerners such as myself should not be relevant.
Bekele quite often doesn't finish marathons, considering the number of dropouts in Tokyo I don't think he'd have had a prayer
But even if we do get the clash between Bekele & Kipchoge what version of them are we going to get? I wanted to see them race each other when they were both on top. But the truth is we will never see them at their best again. That time is gone.
The 2020 London Marathon in April would've been that race. Bekele had come off the back of that incredible 2:01:41 in Berlin 7 months before and Eliud had had a great 2019 as well. But the start of the Covid-19 pandemic ruined it all. What a race that would've been. Such a shame.
You mentioned he's running a marathon in London in the very near future? Maybe the Ethiopian Olympic Committee is waiting to see how he does in that one before committing to him on the team. Is he still running any good shorter races? Maybe put him in the 10K for a last hurrah in the Paris stadium. Methinks that would be more appropriate considering the Olympic race is usually a slower, non-world-record-pace tactical endeavor and it would be a better sendoff in the stadium in front of the crowd.
How Is 2:04:19 faster than 2:01:10?
Also, you say Bekele finished 4th, but a graphic is shown that has him in 1st and also shows 6 times faster than the 2:04:19 you said he ran (graphic says he ran 2:01:41. I’m not sure which times are the right one.
If the Olympics were some kind of US thing, i am sure he would be on the starting line no doubts, after Eliud last marathon in Tokyo, it is clear he hit father-time, so a Father-Time Olympic race between the two would be labeled as the LAST DANCE 😅 (and will have a huuuge chance of winning over Eluid like the old days)
The Ethiopian selection's result's in the men's marathon were abysmal both in Tokyo and in Rio (Lilesa's Rio Silver was the only thing that saved the honour of this great nation). The Ethiopian selection procedures were utter nonsense (was it in 2016 that they did a selection marathon 2 months before the Olympics?? Of course Bekele declined, he's not an idiot). The Olympic marathon in Paris is going to be super slow - super hot temperatures, nasty hills. Experience might be a lot more crucial than youth on such a difficult course. I wish Bekele a great result in London in April and a swift Olympic selection.
The numbers in this video are all over the place. Reed Fischer with a time of 1:06 in 5th and the previous Masters Record in a time of 2:01 seem to be completely wrong. More quality controle is needed.
Bekele and kipchoge will not both be at the Olympics this summer
Father time affects everyone. Bekele and Kipchoge are middle age men now, their bodies simply won't allow them run like men in their 20's. They should run on the senior circuit now or look into another line of work now like coaching
Bekele ran 2:04 just a few months ago. And ran 2:05 last year in London in 2022. He's shown he can still compete with the best even past the age of 40. Why should it mean that he should give up just because he is getting older? Most Olympic marathons are not fast and if Bekele can produce the sort of form that he showed in Valencia then he deserves a chance of selection. It's really up to the individual athlete and how they feel in themselves. If Kenenisa is still feeling good in his running, is enjoying it and doing well, then why shouldn't he continue for a little longer? Kipchoge should be automatically selected given that he is defending champion.
I believe his best days are behind him, IMHO.
What about Tola?
Kenenisa's recent performances only tell that he may well finish the olympic marathon within a top ten position but most unlikely in the top three. He is past his prime. Given that there are scores of other Ethiopian athletes with much better performance, it would not be right to select him and will be very unfair to the athletes who otherwise would perform better than him if selected.
We dont know whats is training this months but i think is finishing is career
The Tokyo Olympics marathon was in Sapporo - not Tokyo. It's cooler there.
It should have been cooler, but it wasn't. Conditions were absolutely terrible.
@@leasgier3311 Oh. I completely missed that.
I want him to be selected but I think they should have a younger backup ready incase of injury.
Everybody agrees that he’s one of the greatest runners of all time, but why do you think he’s worthy of being an Olympian this year? He’s not going to win? He would most likely run a time between 2:05-2:07, maybe much slower than this. He’s past the age where miracles happen. He’s still one of the greatest masters runners of all time. Leave him there, to continue doing great things.
It may cost Ethiopia a gold medal, but honestly Kipchoge will dominate a 41 yr old Bekele. Yes Bekele can still do it but it's time to do other things. I say Bekele will run a sub 210 and kipchoge a 205 or slightly lower. Paris is not a flat course. Kipchoge is not done yet. But it will be Bekele' s last race definitely.
If he can break 2:06 at London, take him, if he can’t, and there are 3 other guys in Kenya that are uninjured, and do, take them. If he’s in the 2:05 range come Paris he’s a legit threat to the end as the Paris podium will probably be in the 2:03-2:07 range. At bare minimum in 2:05-2:06 marathon shape he can serve as 30K pacer the race for his countryman to take a podium slot for sure for a race to target sub 2:03. Say what you want about his age but he is an absolute pacing machine, that’s actually valuable because of his experience. He is capable of splitting the contenders from the non contenders. That’s everything at the Olympics.
I think the last commentator might be right about African runners esp those that haven't made big money! The drop out when there's nothing for the effort! And they are not to blame because most of their governments don't reward them for effort! However, me thinks Kipchoge and Bekele will both be selected by their respective countries.Firstly, if not for anything else than "team morale and motivation" for their younger teammates! Secondly, with their experience they will be put there to act as battlefield tacticians who will retreat from the Frontline at the last minute (may be 35k) and let their younger colleagues do the thing!
3:58 Previous WR is faster than the new one by over 3 mins?
it's a mistake in the times given in the video. Tadesse Abraham's masters WR currently stands at 2:05:01 (set ten days ago with his victory in Barcelona). His previous one (that Bekele broke) was 2:05:09 or something like that, set in Berlin in 2023.
3:46 I don’t understand how that broke Tadesse masters WR?
It's a typo, should be 2:05:10.
Participation trophy?
He would have to rip a super fast marathon that would be in the top 3 of any Ethiopian races of the last year. Doable....maybe.
I belive something missing the political sitution in his home town country is not bad currently there war going on that impacts athletes mind set. Just my thoought ethiopia has been war for five years now... since black people war we dont see this highlighted on media.Ethiopia are gentically fit for this sport not altitude it gentics they will denfiliy produced more keneisa like him for future.
He is done....💩💩💩💩💩
Bruh
@@idotheyeet9498 ..open wide papi....💩💩🥣💩💩
As great as Kenenisa has been, Ethiopia is all about winning
Shouldn't and won't be selected when finishing 4 minutes behind the winner in a half marathon
Get over it...The guy is 40years old.The young guys don't train like animals to be 2nd and 3rd....they are the new Winners !!!!
Both won’t be selected
I don't think they will get any medals in the marathon
Unfortunately, no. No matter who he is is and what he has achieved, we should not deprive talented and in-form athletes of the opportunity to represent their country.
Click bait. He's 42. Give him a break.
He has aged now let him settle down
I would agree with Olympic committee to leave him out. He is aging and most likely to even drop-out of the Olympic marathon. Legendary shouldn't be criteria here. Select the faster youngsters
He's 41 🤦 What do you expect? 99.9% of the population can't even run a half marathon under 1:10 🤦
I think he should be selected. I hope he does get selected. I think he and Kipchoge can bring out the best in each other.
Sorry but being the best in the past does not equal earning a spot on the team now. The best current athletes s/b selected.
come on enough of this, previous accomplishments shouldn't be the reason he gets a charity spot
I hope they choose him. What's more important, a potential loss of a medal, or the chance to send a legend off in style?
I keep saying Bekele was soo good and fit in the 2020 London Half Marathon before the Plan-demic came along..... after that he's been fading so badly..😞