Coronavirus: Kipchoge distributes relief food to 60 vulnerable athletes

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge. He stole world headlines following his historic feat in Vienna, Austria, in October last year where he became the only known marathoner to break the sub-two-hour barrier in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. [Photo: Facebook]

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge once again spent his day (Tuesday) distributing food items to vulnerable athletes who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation and Eldoret Grains Limited distributed relief food to 60 vulnerable athletes from Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County as well as Iten and Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kipchoge urged corporates and other entities to join in the exercise to help athletes overcome tough times that the world is going through.

 “My appeal is to get more corporates and private companies to come on board so that athletes may be able to get food because their lives are at a standstill due to the coronavirus which has affected everybody,” said the soft-spoken Kipchoge.

Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo stressed in the past at that Kenyans must come to the aid of athletes as they fight to stay fit and healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Sportsmen and women are our brand ambassadors and keep us entertained and so we must come to their aid in their hour of need. We are looking at all vulnerable sportsmen and women countrywide,” said Okudo.

From the Kenyan Premier League to volleyball, rugby, basketball, hockey, handball and athletics, the athletes are struggling to deal with the partial lockdown that has turned their daily lives upside down.

President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to use the Sport, Arts and Social Development Fund to cushion all the athletes from the ravages of the pandemic.

In an April public address to the nation, President Uhuru said the Government was working out on modalities to help sportsmen and women.

Uhuru’s statement came weeks after he directed the Ministry of Sports to set aside Sh100 million to cushion local athletes from the effects of Covid-19.

According to official numbers on Wednesday (20/05/2020), there are currently 1,029 coronavirus cases in Kenya with 50 succumbing to the deadly virus. 366 have recovered from Covid-19.