Eliud Kipchoge broke one of the biggest sporting barriers in history on Saturday morning. But financial support from Ineos and Nike raises uncomfortable questions.
Share to twitterKenya's Eliud Kipchoge celebrates after busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna. - Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday made history, busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially“It always seems impossible until it’s done.
Yet the feeling that this momentous occasion and the purity of Kipchoge’s pursuit is tainted by association is inescapable. The 1:59 challenge, as the event was marketed, was funded in huge part by the petrochemicals giant Ineos, whose Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly pumped around $19m into this attempt.
Ineos, a company founded and still majority owned by Britain’s richest man, Jim Ratcliffe, is one of the world’s foremost producers of non-degradable plastics, a product that threatens the health of our oceans.
The same question will be asked of Kipchoge. Ineos’ branding was plastered across every available surface as the 34-year-old made his way around the circuit in Vienna and was even more prominent as he crossed the line. That image has already been shown across the world and with it the Ineos campaign to cleanse its reputation continues to expand.
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