In a dramatic live-streamed moment, Grace Sugut publicly broke down as she disclosed her husband Eliud Kipchoge’s distressing condition, marking an emotional turning-point in the world of athletics. She revealed that his leg is severely swollen, and he is lying unconscious from emotional and physical strain. She insisted she “can’t keep quiet anymore,” leaving fans and commentators in shock.
According to Grace, the swelling in Eliud’s leg emerged directly after his most recent competition, and the leg injury has precipitated a deep emotional collapse. He reportedly retreated to bed, unable to rise, while processing the implications of his physical state. The correspondence between his leg swelling and his emotional state underlines the gravity of the situation.
Grace further explained that due to his precarious physical and mental condition, Eliud has opted out of the upcoming 2025 Tokyo Athletics Championships. She emphasised that stepping away was not a tactical decision but a necessary one: his body and mind currently cannot meet the demands of elite competition. This revelation comes as a major surprise given his storied and consistent career at the top level.
Adding fuel to speculation, a brief 7-second video has surfaced which shows Eliud in a compromised stance: seated with his leg elevated, his face pale, surrounded by medical staff and close family. The clip, although short, stirred immediate concern across social media platforms and athletics forums. Fans described themselves as “stunned” by the visual of the marathon legend evidently in distress.
Grace’s tearful confession went further: she suggested that Eliud’s running ability has now dropped to “less than 2% left” due to this injury and sustained emotional toll. The comment has rapidly circulated among journalists and analysts, sparking debate over the moral, physical and legacy dimensions of Eliud’s future in the sport.
Still revered as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Eliud’s decision to withdraw from Tokyo 2025 has sent ripples through his home country Kenya and the wider athletics community. The implication that a leg injury paired with emotional collapse could sideline him so suddenly has challenged assumptions about his invincibility and raised questions about his next move.
Grace called on fans and the global athletics community to “hold us in prayer” and to “understand this is more than a race now”. Her appeal underscores how this moment is not merely about competition but about recovery, identity and resilience. It marks a deeply human side of a sporting icon whose image has long been defined by victory and composure.
As the story continues to unfold, key unknowns remain: the precise medical diagnosis of Eliud’s leg, how long his recovery might take, and whether he intends to make a comeback in any form. For now, his absence from Tokyo 2025 is confirmed, and the visuals and statements released by Grace have already become one of the most talked-about moments in athletics this season.