WASHINGTON D.C. – Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge met with former United States President Barack Obama on Friday, November 7, 2025, to discuss leadership, legacy, and potential partnerships between their respective foundations. The meeting in Washington D.C. centered on a shared commitment to empowering the next generation through sport and education, signaling a possible new chapter of philanthropic collaboration with significant implications for Kenyan youth.

In a statement released by his management, Global Sports Communications, Kipchoge expressed deep admiration for Obama, whom he described as a personal inspiration and a “global advocate for unity.” “Our conversation was one of reflection and shared purpose about leadership, legacy, and how the next generation can rise through sport, education, and service,” Kipchoge stated on Friday. The discussion explored concrete ways the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation and the Obama Foundation could work together on these shared goals.

The meeting carries substantial weight for Kenya, connecting one of its most celebrated global figures with a former world leader who shares Kenyan heritage. Both foundations have established missions focused on creating opportunities for young people. “We share a vision of hope and possibility, believing that through partnership, we can create meaningful change,” Kipchoge remarked, highlighting the alignment of their objectives.

A Convergence of Missions

The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, established in 2020, is deeply rooted in the marathoner's own experiences in rural Kenya. Its core pillars are education and environmental conservation. The foundation has actively funded the construction of libraries, including one at Kipchoge's former school in Kapsisiywa, provided books, and supported school fees for disadvantaged children. This aligns with data from the Education Policy and Data Center, which in 2018 noted that 29% of Kenyan children did not complete primary education. On the environmental front, the foundation focuses on reforestation and protecting natural training grounds for future athletes.

The Obama Foundation, while global in scope, has maintained ties to Kenya. President Obama’s father was born in Siaya County, and the former president has visited the country multiple times, including a 2018 trip to launch a sports and vocational center for his half-sister Dr. Auma Obama’s Sauti Kuu Foundation. The Obama Foundation's broader mission is to “inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.”

The potential collaboration discussed on Friday could amplify the impact of both organizations in East Africa. By leveraging Kipchoge's inspirational status and the Obama Foundation's global network and resources, any joint initiatives would focus on championing youth leadership and expanding educational access.

A Meeting Years in the Making

The conversation was the culmination of years of mutual respect. In October 2019, after Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, Obama congratulated him on social media, calling his achievement a “remarkable example of humanity’s ability to endure.” In response, Kipchoge expressed his wish to one day meet the former president to discuss how to “make this world a running world.” This long-held aspiration was fulfilled following Kipchoge's participation in the New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025, where he completed his quest to run all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.

During their meeting, Kipchoge gifted President Obama a signed pair of Nike Alphafly 3 running shoes, the model he wore during his record fifth Berlin Marathon win in 2023. President Obama later posted on his Instagram page, “Thanks for those kind words. It was great meeting you, Eliud!” While specific details of future collaborative projects remain under discussion, the meeting itself represents a powerful symbol of two global leaders uniting around a shared vision for a better future, with Kenya’s youth poised to be significant beneficiaries.