Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge gestures to fans after crossing the finish line during the 2025 Sydney Marathon at the Opera House on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)Kenya’s legendary long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge will return to the Olympic stage at Milano Cortina 2026, this time as a flag bearer for the opening ceremony. The 41-year-old distance ace has been named one of eight bearers who will carry the Olympic Flag into the San Siro Olympic Stadium when the Games officially begin on February 6. Kipchoge, a five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic marathon champion (Rio 2016 and Sapporo 2021), joins a diverse group of athletes and exemplary figures selected by the International Olympic Committee and Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. After clinching marathon glory in 2016 and 2021, he returned to Olympic competition at Paris 2024, continuing to push the boundaries of endurance.

Source: Standard Digital February 03, 2026 13:45 UTC