In an effort to promote inclusion in running, two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has taken on the role of mentor for the U20 World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team.
Scheduled to take form in January 2024, Kipchoge’s wisdom and mentorship are poised to guide these young athletes on their journey to the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
Kipchoge is renowned for his years of achievement in the world of marathon running. Throughout his years, the former world record holder in the marathon has also garnered a reputation for building the running community by sharing his wisdom with others.
Kipchoge will not only impart his profound insight into athletics but also extend his knowledge of life skills and motivation to the athletes of the U20 refugee team.
Kipchoge will work with the athletes in other ways, encouraging them to pursue education and literature, reflecting his own passion for reading and learning. His role in the program will offer a holistic approach to the development of these aspiring athletes.
The announcement coincides with the Multistakeholder Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection of Refugees, signed by over 100 organizations participating in the Global Refugee Forum 2023, including World Athletics.
The pledge emphasizes the role of sport in improving the lives of refugees, and focuses on programming, policy changes, skill development, and communication efforts.
About The Refugee Team
Established in 2016, the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team has become the world’s sole year-round, full-time refugee team program.
Originally formed for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Olympic Team, the team has participated in various World Athletics Series events.
The U20 branch, which began in 2022, will focus on preparing athletes for the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships and includes some individuals based at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
Along with Kipchoge, refugee athletes are in the hands of decorated coaches and athletes.
Under the guidance of Kenya’s 2007 world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei and assistant coach Arcade Arakaza, who is also a refugee from Burundi, the U20 World Athletics Refugee Team aims to present a well-prepared group of athletes for the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
The coaching team is part of a broader program led by Swiss educator Barbara Moser-Mercer.
Eliud Kipchoge’s commitment to mentoring the U20 World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team marks a significant step in leveraging sports for the inclusion and empowerment of refugees.
As the athletes turn their focus towards the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships, Kipchoge’s influence is set to inspire, guide, and shape the lives of these young individuals both on and off the track.
