More than two decades later, having become a true marathon legend, Kipchoge seems poised to compete in his last Games. It is the Parisian stage, during the summer of 2024, where the 39-year-old African athlete intends to close a memorable career.

The Kenyan is determined to once again make Olympic history on 10 August by becoming the "first person to win the Olympic marathon three times consecutively," surpassing classic sports figures who accomplished a 'double' like Abebe Bikila (1960, 1964) and Waldemar Cierpinski (1976, 1980).

Coincidentally, it was in Paris in August 2003 when the athlete, having just come of age, made a stellar debut on the international scene by becoming the world champion in the 5,000 meters, sweeping past the favorites and veterans of the discipline.

However, it was on the road where he achieved supreme success. Kipchoge broke the world marathon record twice (2018, 2022). Today, he is the only human being to have completed 42.195 km in less than two hours.

In his track record, it should be highlighted that he has claimed victory in 16 of the 20 official marathons he has run since 2013, in addition to his two Olympic titles (in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021), eleven victories in the 'Majors' (five in Berlin, four in London, one in Tokyo, and the latest in Chicago).

"Running is normal in our community, we run to school, to the shopping center...," the Kenyan said in an interview with AFP. It is there that one understands how this common habit in his country catapulted him to stardom. Despite this, he was not aware of his potential...

“I just wanted to take a plane and go to Europe. I didn’t know being an athlete could feed my family,” and, overnight, his thirst for success grew. But it was not all due to the Kenyan's innate talent; the figure of his compatriot and Barcelona ’92 silver medalist, Patrick Sang, played a key role in his development.

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Patrick Sang began to implement a training program with the promising Kipchoge. The legendary Sang took his time, as he admits in some statements, but he always knew Kipchoge would succeed: “He was determined.” They thus cultivated an almost father-son relationship.

However, his rise to stardom did not always appear rosy. In fact, Kipchoge has had to face very tough challenges throughout his life. The Kenyan is not familiar with failure. Whether due to his advancing age or a momentary disconnection, his recent results have truly raised eyebrows: sixth in Boston last year and tenth in March in Tokyo.

“In Japan, I had several sleepless nights,” he explained in another interview with the BBC, alluding to the death threats he received due to his decline in performance.

Nevertheless, the peak of the controversy surrounding the legendary Kipchoge lies in a series of conspiracy theories accusing him of being complicit in the death of marathon prodigy Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February.

“I received many negative comments: they were going to burn my investments, my house, and even my family,” he recounted, struggling not to break down in tears during the interview.

But now, Kipchoge faces a new challenge, which, as his coach Patrick Sang says: “It is his dream to make history.” Although, in his opinion, he already has: “It is true that for more than 20 years, he has already been history.”