Lokedi replaces Brigid Kosgei on Olympic marathon team
Sharon Lokedi has finally got the chance to represent Kenya at the Paris 2024 Olympics after her late inclusion as a replacement for the injured Brigid Kosgei.
Lokedi was widely expected to make Kenya’s final three, alongside two-time Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri and defending champion Peres Jepchirchir, but was controversially omitted for former world record holder Kosgei.
The decision drew the ire of fans who felt Lokedi deserved a slot in the team given her recent form that has seen her win New York Marathon in 2022 before a third-place finish last year and ran Obiri close in Boston in 2024 before finishing second.
The success at Lisbon and the injury crisis
Kosgei, meanwhile, won the Lisbon Half Marathon in March this year but could only manage fifth in London and has not won a race since the Tokyo Marathon in March 2022, with injuries and form disrupting her. However, Kosgei will now not be on the plane to Paris due to another injury, paving the way for Lokedi, who had been named as a reserve.
Kosgei was selected as the third athlete after a fifth place finish in 2:19:02 in April’s London Marathon. Lokedi was named the alternate despite an impressive runner-up finish in Boston and a third place finish at the New York City Marathon last fall – where she beat Kosgei. Lokedi’s Boston and New York City runs were also impressive because they came on hilly courses without any pacemakers, which simulates the championship style of the Olympics.
“The Kenya Marathon team heading to the Olympic games in Paris has been training for slightly over two months, and the athletes continue to receive financial support and technical support,” read a statement from the National Olympics Committee of Kenya.
The 2022 New York City Marathon debut
Lokedi has a personal best of 2:23:23 from her debut and victory at the 2022 New York City Marathon. Most recently, she finished second in the NYRR Mini 10K in 31:04 in New York City on June 8th
The men’s Olympic team is comprised of double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge (who will be looking to become the first person to win back-to-back-to-back gold medals in the marathon), London marathon champion Alexander Munyao and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto.
Read more from us here.
