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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 !
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.
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 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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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..😞
