News Article

• Controversial Olympic Qualification: Despite finishing third at the 2024 US Olympic marathon trials, Leonard Korir faced uncertainty as World Athletics reallocated spots through universality places rather than world rankings, prompting frustration and confusion from top-ranked athletes like Korir.


• Resilience and Determination: Korir's determination to secure his Olympic dream, including threats involving the US Army for fairness, likely contributed to World Athletics expanding the men's Olympic Marathon field, confirming his place on the 2024 US Olympic marathon team after months of uncertainty.


• Strong US Marathon Team: With Korir's inclusion, the US team prepares for Paris with standout athletes Conner Mantz and Clayton Young in the men's squad and Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm in the women's team, all qualifying at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Leonard Korir found himself in a familiar position as he navigated the uncertainty of Olympic qualification. In 2020, he narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification, finishing fourth at the trials, just three seconds shy of the coveted spot. History threatened to repeat itself, as Korir grappled with the prospect of facing a similar fate. Let's explore the confusion around qualification and how it likely got overturned by athletes like Korir and their supporters.

Open Marathon Spots Filled By Universality Athletes

After Leonard Korir secured third place at the 2024 US Olympic marathon trials, positioning himself favorably for selection, a controversial move by World Athletics sparked uncertainty. Despite ranking as the #3 American on the Road to Paris list, Korir's fate became uncertain when spots were reallocated to 11 marathoners through universality places rather than world rankings. This decision left Korir and other top-ranked athletes frustrated, as they were initially within the top 80 on World Athletics' Road to Paris table by the qualification deadline of May 5, expecting spots based on their rankings.

Fighting For His Olympic Dream

In the face of adversity, Leonard Korir remained undeterred in his pursuit of an Olympic dream. Threatening to involve the US Army to ensure fairness, Korir challenged World Athletics' decision to exclude ranking-based entrants like himself. On June 4, World Athletics expanded the men's Olympic Marathon field without public explanation, adding four spots based on world rankings, including one for the United States, alongside one "universality" spot for Mongolia. After months of uncertainty, Korir's well-earned place on the 2024 US Olympic marathon team was confirmed.

USA Sending Full Marathon Teams to Paris

With Leonard Korir's inclusion, attention now turns to the US team's preparation for a competitive showing in Paris this August. The men's squad features Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who clinched first and second place at the 2024 Olympic Trials. While Korir faced uncertainties, the American women, including Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm, secured their spots at the U.S. Olympic Trials, all surpassing the 2:26:50 auto standard during the qualifying period.

How to Watch the Paris Olympic Marathon

Don't miss Leonard Korir and his US teammates at the Olympic marathon races in Paris. The men's marathon starts on the 10th, followed by the women's marathon on the 11th, marking the first time the women's marathon will conclude the Olympic Games.

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