Eliud Kipchoge named UN Person of the Year

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been named UN Person of the Year by the United Nations office in Nairobi.

On October 24 every year, the agency marks UN Day, the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the United Nations Charter.

At every UN Day celebration, we honour an individual who best personifies our values and ideals,” the UN Kenya office said.

The Dutch embassy was among the first to laud Kipchoge saying:

“The embassy congratulates marathon runner and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge on winning the UN in Kenya Person of the Year award for his work on combating HIV/AIDS.”

Australian High Commissioner to Kenya described Kipchoge as a champion of champions.

.@EliudKipchoge is the 2018 UN in Kenya Person of the Year Award winner

#UNDay @UnKenya @sidchat1 @ErikSolheim @UNDPKenya @inaxusein @unicnairobi @kanhema @UN @IsuzuKenya pic.twitter.com/nk934DOUW4

— Digital Humanitarian (@PhilipOgola) October 24, 2018

The UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) cited Kipchoge’s initiative, integrity, human endurance and courage.

This comes a day after he was nominated for Male World Athlete of the Year 2018 at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) awards.

https://twitter.com/LondonMarathon/status/1054719634233016320

More to follow