Eliud Kipchoge and legendary athletes whose Olympics journeys ended at Paris Games

Eliud Kipchoge and legendary athletes whose Olympics journeys ended at Paris Games

• The 2024 Paris Olympics came to a conclusion over the weekend with a beautiful closing ceremony at Stade de France
• Fans got to witness athletes deliver exceptional performances for several weeks, but it was the last Olympics for some of them
• Eliud Kipchoge and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are two of several iconic athletes who have taken part in their last Olympic Games

After weeks of spectacular sporting activities, the curtains came down on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Athletes from every corner of the globe won medals, broke world records, won hearts and made history.

Unfortunately, the Paris Olympics was the last one for sports' biggest names like Eliud Kipchoger and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Millions of fans got to witness some of their favourite athletes take part in their final Olympic Games, mainly due to age. Eliud Kipchoge's Paris Olympics saw him fail to finish a marathon.

Others like Kevin Durant and LeBron James ended the Games with a gold medal in basketball, probably their last Olympic medals. TUKO.co.ke looks at some athletes who have participated in their last Olympics.

Athletes whose Olympics ended in Paris

Eliud Kipchoge

The Kenyan marathon superstar produced an underwhelming performance in the men's marathon. He registered a Did Not Finish (DNF) after taking a taxi to the finish line after dropping out. He said it was his "worst marathon" and hinted about his retirement. He has two Olympic gold medals.

"I don't know what next. I need to go back [home], sit down, try to figure my 21 years of running at high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things,” he said via Olympics.com.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

The Jamaican sprint legend had an Olympic to forget in Paris. She was set to compete in the 100m but crashed out just before the semis due to injury. It was a sad ending to a storied career at the Olympic Games. The 37-year-old has won two gold medals at the Olympics and many other titles in her decorated career.

Andy Murray

The British tennis legend took part in his last-ever tennis event at the Paris Games. He was seeking a third medal at the Olympic Games, but it ended in disappointment. He turned pro in 2005, played 1001 singles matches, and won 46 ATP titles, per BBC.

He defeated Roger Federer to win gold in London and later defended it in Rio in 2016.

Marta

The Brazil football icon won another silver medal after they were beaten by the USA in the final. In April, she announced that 2024 would be her last year as a footballer. She has more World Cup goals than any other player in history and will go down as one of the greatest female footballers ever.

"I am not going to disappear from football," she said. "I am going to try to contribute somehow to this generation, because they are very talented girls and are well aware of what we can achieve,” via Olympics.com.

Max Whitlock

Whitlock retires as Britain's greatest gymnast. He finished fourth in the pommel horse in Paris and was in top form in Rio 2016, where he won gold in floor exercise and pommel horse.

“My Olympic experience has been unbelievable,” he said. “One of the best things is I have been in a position to inspire and encourage others to take up sport."

Other top athletes: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Lydia Ko, Kellie Harrington, Mikkel Hansen, Emma McKeon

Top athletes who withdrew with injury

TUKO.co.ke earlier listed top athletes who withdrew from the 2024 Paris Olympics because of injury.

Jamaican stars Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson were the top stars who had to end their games due to injury.