This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
On October 13, 2019, former US President Barack Obama expressed his admiration for the outstanding achievements of Kenyan athletes Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei. In a tweet, Obama praised Kipchoge for becoming the first person to break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, and Kosgei for setting a new women's world record in the Chicago marathon.
Obama tweeted, 'Yesterday, marathoner Eliud Kipchoge became the first ever to break two hours. Today in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s world record. Staggering achievements on their own, they’re also remarkable examples of humanity’s ability to endure, and keep raising the bar.'
Kipchoge achieved this feat in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Austria, although the run won't be counted as a world record due to the conditions under which it was achieved. Kosgei's run in Chicago, however, is expected to be ratified as a world record by the IAAF.
In response to Obama's tweet, Kipchoge expressed his gratitude and said it would be an honor to meet the former US President. He tweeted, 'Dear Mr. Obama, Thank you for your special words. In life we hope to inspire others. Thank you for inspiring me. It would be my greatest honour if we could meet, and discuss how we can make this world a running world. As a running world is a peaceful world.'
