#KOT will not allow Eliud Kipchoge slander from anyone
Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday wrote his name into history books by becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours, but not everyone was impressed.
A section of social media users and media outlets from the West have since attempted to downplay Kipchoge’s feat in the INEOS 1:59 challenge, crediting it instead to…get this…shoes!
Kipchoge, during the heavily billed race, ran using the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly shoes which, according to Forbes, “feature a carbon fiber plate in the sole and increase performance by over 4%.”
The UK’s Telegraph termed the shoes as “a previously unseen version still in its testing phase” further describing them as “legal doping” because of their “carbon plate and huge foam midsole.”
Irish journalist Cathal Dennehy, speaking on Germany TV show ‘Off The Ball’, full on described Kipchoge’s record-shattering run as “technological doping” saying that, in fact, “the shoes are the game changer here.”
“They (Nike) have the best minds in the world working on making the fastest shoes in the world. The way they do it is a bit dubious because it came out early in 2016, and the prototype was only given out to their special few,” said Dennehy.
“Other Nike athletes even who are professional athletes still don’t get this certain shoe. They have a mass-market version of this shoe that you can buy for about €300, but the ones the elites wear is a different shoe personalised for them and is far more effective.”
Such kind of reviews are among the many that Kenyans on Twitter, alias #KOT, have – in solidarity with Kipchoge, the man of the moment – refused to take lying down.
Twitter user Jonathan J. Marcus firsthand experienced #KOT’s anger when tweeted a photo of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly with the caption: “This is what propelled a human to running a sub-2 hour marathon. Not his “mind. Not his training. Not his diet. Advanced shoe technology. Period — end of discussion.”
Kenyans online jumped at Marcus’ comment section, with a large number of them asking him to also go get the shoes and attempt a stab at the sub-2 hour marathon.
This is what propelled a human to running a sub-2 hour marathon.
Not his “mind.”
Not his training.
Not his diet.
Advanced shoe technology.
Period — end of discussion.
Remember, no one in professional tennis plays with a wooden racket anymore… pic.twitter.com/u0x9dbSU0v
— Jonathan J. Marcus (@jmarpdx) October 14, 2019
This level of jelousy,smh! Please hold your hands together on your chest and say "lord am a witch,deliver me"
— Mercy (@mercy_nkathah) October 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mwafreeka/status/1183680773162962944
These mayosapiens are clowning. Black excellence is so hard to fathom. Woooooooooooooooiye.
— tSN (@AkelLove) October 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/rayrodneyr/status/1183644191374491649
Hmmm. In the "Breaking 2" doccie, Kipchoge ran alongside two other established distance athletes. Shoes were tested, all the science that went into this record was applied there. He missed a sub 2hr time by 25 secs. But it was THE SHOES that made all the difference this time??
— John-Allan Namu (@johnallannamu) October 14, 2019
So much bitterness in a post danm. Be careful your envy is showing, besides its done record broken if you want it undone run and beat him. Simple
— The Prince (@PrinceCollo254) October 14, 2019
The shoe should've run by itself then
— Kamtu Ka Mbao (@kampupi) October 14, 2019
Many sportsmen have personalised and tailored to fit kind of shoes, to say that gives them an advantage over others is overthinking. Let the Record be, the shoe does not maketh the man.
And don't say end of discussion, as even human thought can never be limited.
— Ramadhan, Esq (@Ramadhern) October 14, 2019
Hehehe, so wear the shoe technology and break the record again, and get the glory, end of story.
— Kerr Owino (@PharaohMenya) October 14, 2019
Well, lucky for you Jonathan, there is no paucity of marathons coming up and marathoners preparing for them. The shoe goes on sale to all anytime now, you must be looking forward to the many 1:59:40s.
We will not be waiting on your posts.
— Just Keep Swimming (@wambuiwaithaka) October 14, 2019
Whiteman so bitter he rather have a shoe in place of a black African man..
— ㋡ Invincible (@Its_Jaymo) October 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/CollinceBey/status/1183650332582301697
https://twitter.com/kevpeint/status/1183630721639944192
Let's not pretend the constant questioning of black athletes' achievements is not rooted in racism.
From Serena to Simone to Eliud, when they don't insist it's drugs they push for other 'advantages'.
This kind of mean spirited scrutiny is only reserved for black athletes.
— Mwende Ngao (@mwendesusu) October 14, 2019
Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a Comment