32-year-old 2012 London Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist Stephen Kiprotich has been off the running scene since his appearance in the men’s marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He failed to complete the race due to injury.
His 2012 Olympic medal can never be forgotten as it came many years after his personal hero John Akii-Bua won the 400m event at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
Kiprotich quit athletics to concentrate on school during the years of 2004 to 2006. At the age of 17, he quit school and moved to Kenya’s Rift Valley, to train for the marathon with Eliud Kipchoge.
He then went on to win the London 2012 Olympic Marathon, ahead of Kenyan runners Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich who finished second and third respectively.
In 2013, Kiprotich won the IAAF Moscow 2013 Marathon at 2:09:51 to grab the Gold Medal.
However, since then things have not been perfect for him as he has encountered a series of challenges.
Matooke Republic sat down with the legendary runner in an exclusive interview.
What have you been up to?
I have been doing my best to make ends meet. In general, life is good.
You’re a policeman and an athlete, which career do you treasure more?
Both, because one is the company of the other.
Publicly, we last saw you at Olympics, sadly you pulled out shortly after the race started, what exactly happened?
You know in sports anything can happen, like in football injuries happen, so I also got injured.
Are you in preparation for any race?
Big No.
Should we assume you’re retired now?
I can neither confirm nor deny
Meanwhile, what is your standout moment in your career so far?
Running is my life, so I enjoy every moment.
Any regrettable incident?
There are some regrets but I cannot say them since there are personal.
Also, when you won gold in 2012, many pledges were made to you especially from the government. Were they fulfilled and how did you utilize the cash rewards?
I did not get the house they promised me. Even the small monthly payments that the government promised come once or twice a year. So that’s where I stand.
Joshua Cheptegei has used his influence and rewards to set up a training facility in Kapchorwa. What have you focused on to develop and nurture young talents?
I inspired Cheptegei and all other current runners and it’s time for Joshua to learn and pass on what he has seen from me the legend.
According to you, who are Uganda’s top five athletes ever?
Aki Bua, Boniface Kiprop, Dorcus Inzikuru, Moses Kipsiro, Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
Who do you most admire?
I only admire my family but Akii-Bua has a special place in my heart.
What competition would you call your greatest success?
Achieving the world record (2:06:33 in 2015) and winning the London marathon.
What haven’t you achieved in athletics that you eagerly want to accomplish before you retire?
Nothing at all because I achieved more than I ever dreamt of.
Speaking of retirement, how have you prepared yourself for retirement? Any specific investments that you have made?
All I can say is that I have a big farm
