Ethiopian runner Tamirat Tola won the men's marathon at the Paris Olympics, setting a new Olympic record of two hours, six minutes, and 26 seconds. Tola's victory ended Kenya's long-standing dominance in the event, with Belgium's Bashir Abdi finishing second, 21 seconds behind, and Kenya's Benson Kipruto claiming bronze. Tola, who was a late replacement for the Ethiopian team, expressed immense joy, stating it was his 'greatest achievement in life.' Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge, seeking a third consecutive gold, failed to finish due to injury, while fellow Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele placed 39th. The marathon route was notably challenging, featuring significant elevation changes and tough conditions. Tola's win marks a significant moment for Ethiopian athletics, as he adds this gold to his bronze from the 2016 Rio Games.