Ethiopia’s Tola Wins Men’s Marathon Gold at Olympics

 Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola crosses the finish line to win the men's marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Invalides in Paris on August 10, 2024. (AFP)
Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola crosses the finish line to win the men's marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Invalides in Paris on August 10, 2024. (AFP)
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Ethiopia’s Tola Wins Men’s Marathon Gold at Olympics

 Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola crosses the finish line to win the men's marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Invalides in Paris on August 10, 2024. (AFP)
Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola crosses the finish line to win the men's marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Invalides in Paris on August 10, 2024. (AFP)

Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola won gold in the men's marathon at the Paris Games on Saturday as Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge failed in his bid to win a historic third consecutive Olympic crown.

Belgium's Bashir Abdi took silver, improving on his bronze from Tokyo, and Kenya's Benson Kipruto claimed bronze.

Tola built a strong lead early on and crossed the finish line in two hours, six minutes and 26 seconds.

Emerging from a pack of frontrunners from the first steep ascent of an exceptionally hilly course, the former cross country specialist seemed only to strengthen on the second hill as others faded behind him.

Tola had an 18-second lead by the 35km mark, which he extended as the Eiffel Tower came into sight and crowds lining the streets roared him on. He became the first Ethiopian winner of the Olympic men's marathon in 24 years.



Bundesliga Strugglers Bochum Appoint Ex-Wolfsburg Boss Hecking as Head Coach

Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
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Bundesliga Strugglers Bochum Appoint Ex-Wolfsburg Boss Hecking as Head Coach

Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)

Bundesliga strugglers VfL Bochum have named former VfL Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking as their new head coach on a contract until the end of the season, the club said on Monday.

The 60-year-old replaces fellow German Peter Zeidler, who was fired last month.

Having last managed Nuremberg on a temporary basis in the 2022-23 season, Hecking also had spells at Hamburger SV, Borussia Monchengladbach, among others.

He won the German Cup and Supercup with Wolfsburg in 2015 and was named German Football Manager of the Year that same year.

Bochum are bottom of the table with one point from nine games. Their last match was a 7-2 thrashing at Eintracht Frankfurt and they next host reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.