Eliud Kipchoge Honoured as UN Person of the Year 2018
Press release – (Nairobi, 24 October 2018)- World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge was today honoured as the UN Person of the Year 2018, with the UN body paying tribute to his positive role modelling to the youth to embrace the values of hard work, discipline, focus and dedication to achieve the greatness they are capable of.
Widely acknowledged as arguably the greatest marathoner of all time, Mr. Kipchoge recently smashed the world record by 1 minute 18 seconds. It is his perseverance and steadfast resolve to put in the hard work needed that moved the UN in Kenya to make him the 16th recipient of the Award.
“I congratulate you, Eliud Kipchoge, on this great achievement, and I have no doubt you will take advantage of this opportunity to show case the values that are indispensable to the kind of success that you now enjoy,” said Cabinet Secretary Amb. Monica Juma, who was the Chief Guest at the presentation ceremony held at the UN compound in Gigiri.
In celebration of the United Nations Day which has been observed on 24 October, the UN in Kenya has awarded and recognized individuals who best represent the ideals of the world body every year since 2002.
Amb. Juma said that young Kenyans form the largest segment of the population, and are eager to leverage technology for the betterment of mankind, to seize new and emerging opportunities and to venture into new fields of the economy.
Amb. Juma observed that mankind is truly one family, with the UN representing mankind’s continuing efforts to remain one. She paid tribute to the founding fathers of the UN, recalling their vision of a world without war, hunger, disease and ignorance.
Commending the UN for the work they do, from peace keeping to refugee protection, fighting human and drug trafficking and climate change, she singled out UN staff members for the role they played in creating a better world.
Amb. Juma invited participants to take part in the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference which Kenya will be co-hosting with Canada from 26th to 28th November in Nairobi this year. “This conference is not about the lateral states which front the ocean, rather it is about how we leverage the resources of our seas and water bodies to create wealth and sustainable food security”, she said.
“it will be a working conference where participants will have strategic conversations on appropriate financing, technology and innovations, as well as capacity building to make the benefits of water related resources more productive and inclusive. I welcome you all to the conference.’
Accepting the Award, Mr. Kipchoge warned the youth against the temptation of expecting a big break that will set them on the path of fame and fortune.
“It takes extreme effort and many years to reduce one’s time even by five seconds when running. Lasting achievements are based on small increments in doing the right thing,” said the champion, who has won all but one of his races since he started running the marathon.
The Person of the Year Award was last year won by Ms Umra Omar of Safari Doctors, who was recognized for her work in delivering primary healthcare to marginalized communities in her home County of Lamu.
Other past recipients include First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for her Beyond Zero Campaign and three-time World Half-Marathon champion. Tegla Loroupe for peace-building programmes in conflict zones.
For more information please contact:
Nasser Ega- Musa
Director
United Nations Information Centre
Tel: 254 20 762 5421/ Cell: 0714 636355
E Mail: N.ega-musa@un.org
