Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens—that will be celebrated in the 2024 Paris Olympics via the marathon route. On October 5 and 6 1789, thousands of Parisian men and women joined hands in marching through Paris to Versailles. They gathered in front of the Hotel de Ville in Paris, demanding bread and arms. However, Louis XVI had to give in to the pressure of citizens and ratified the aforementioned Declaration. This time, the Olympic route will connect the Hotel de Ville to Versailles, to commemorate its rich history. And several more things are also in the story. 

The Parisian region is not flat, and today’s marathon route will test the ability of every athlete. Furthermore, in some places, the route can take 436 m to climb, and maintaining the 13.5% gradient, the descent can go down 438 m. That could be staggering, and with the Parisian climate, the challenges will be high. How would Eliud Kipchoge, Leonard Korir, Conner Mantz, and Clayton Young counter that? 

Men’s category: 

The early sign does not seem to be very good—the defending Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge was seen to be holding his stomach and beginning to lose his grip. The steeper track could be a test for him in this situation. However, the legend has his own experiences and training to run in the hilly regions of Kenya. 

At present, Akira Akasaki is running at the forefront, whereas the American challenger, Conner Mantz, is in eighth place. At present, Basher Abdi is also in the chasing pack. The Tokyo Olympic medalist is among the favorites to take a medal home this time as well. 

Akasaki is still leading, whereas he has already mentioned that the steep hills of the Parisian route won’t be a challenge for him. He is already capitalizing on the distance he has traveled. 

He should worry about Tamirat Tola. The Ethiopian challenger is in fourth position and is apt to handle steep heights. 

And here he is! Tamirat Tola is already in the top position on the hill right now. 

Eliud Kipchoge may have lost the game already. He is in the 71st position, and no sign is here for him to gather himself to take his third peat completed at the Olympic marathon.

Conner Mantz and his bromance with Clayton Young are very much present here on the steep hills of Paris. Both are holding hands, almost side by side, and sharing fists. No matter what, they will try to live the dream together till the very end, there will be tests. As they say, nothing comes easy!

The 2024 Paris Olympics have presented a steeper incline to cross, and as of now, the Ethiopians have suited themselves comfortably to the challenge. In the top two positions, Tamirat Tola and Deresa Geleta are way ahead of the others.

The steeper hill is already covered, as the top 10 runners have covered 35 km. Tamirat Tola has already gathered a massive lead. The former world champion is on a mission to take the gold to Ethiopia, as Haile Gebrselassie once did.

 Right now, the pack is at the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, and Geleta is heavily chased by Bashir Abdi and Benson Kipruto. 

Bashir Abdi is in the second position now, and Geleta has been pushed to the fourth position. Akira Akasaki is on the fifth now. Benson Kipruto and Bashir are known for their late kicks. Would they be able to pull off that when the 400m is on the cards?

Tola is too late to do any harm to the world record. But he is closing in. But he decimated the Olympic record by finishing his race in 2:06:26.

Conner Mantz claimed eighth place, and Clayton Young chased him and took ninth place.

Here’s Tamirat Tola, taking down one of the hardest marathon tracks, on this earth in hot, humid weather, still breaking the  16-year-old Olympic record.

As per several updates, Eliud Kipchoge is still on track and running at the 35km estimation.

Just after claiming the top title, Tamirat found the arms of Haile Gebrselassie. The Ethiopian legend seemed to be happy to see Tola take over the baton at the Olympics. Meanwhile, Ethiopian fans are celebrating the achievement in their most familiar way—in colorful dresses and stomping on the music. It was the second time someone from the region took the Olympic gold over the 26.2 miles after Gezahegne Abera in Sydney 2000.