This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
June 11, 2020 - Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon world record holder, has emphasized the importance of self-discipline in achieving success in sports. Speaking during a webinar organized by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), Kipchoge stated, 'Self-discipline is what drives me. It takes a lot of discipline for one to set priorities right in order. Without discipline, success is nothing.'
According to Kipchoge, discipline is what guides athletes and brings them back to the course when they are outside. He also highlighted the importance of being humble in victory and learning to move on and not over-celebrate. 'The moment you fail to control yourself over success and how society looks at you, that's the end of you. You are a human being at the end of the day, not a celebrity,' Kipchoge noted.
Janet Wanja, a veteran Malkia Strikers setter, also emphasized the importance of discipline in maintaining success. 'For you to maintain at the top, you need to be disciplined, stay focused, set your goals, always want to learn more, and take things positively,' Wanja said.
Both Kipchoge and Wanja have had to learn from their losses, even when the world and critics have pinned them on the walls. Kipchoge reflected on missing out on an Olympic spot in 2012, stating it was one of the lowest moments in his career. 'Missing one event is not suicide; tomorrow is another day. You just treat it as a challenge and the next day go back to training. I don't believe in obstacles, I treat them as challenges. I don't lose, I learn,' Kipchoge stated.
