Public fury ‘forces’ Laureus organisers to change Eliud Kipchoge’s photo
It seems Laureus World Sports Awards organizers heard Kenya’s rallying cry over the controversial photo of Eliud Kipchoge they had initially used for the poster of this year’s nominees.
On Thursday, when the Laureus World Sports Awards Sportsman of the Year award were announced, the organisers used a not so appealing picture of the marathon world record holder and Olympics champion.
Most Kenyans on social media were however disgusted by the event organizers’ choice of Kipchoge’s photo for the poster, which they demanded to be changed.
Majority of Kenyans wondered why the organisers did not select a better picture and went ahead to share the many pictures that the world champion has.
REDONE POSTER
Laureus has now shared a redone poster with a changed photo of Kipchoge who is among the six nominees for the coveted award in the men’s category.
Kipchoge is the only African nominated in the category, the others being French youngster and Fifa World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, American basketball player LeBron James and 2018 Fifa Best Player and Balon d’Or winner Luka Modric of Croatia.
Also in contention for the award is five-time Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, of Britain and men’s Tennis World Number One and 14 time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
Hope everyone agrees we are in a better place now but thanks for the offer. pic.twitter.com/bkkVPpweQ1
— Jonathan Hill (@JontyHill14) January 18, 2019
They changed the picture ??. Congrats Champ @EliudKipchoge #TheMagicOfKenya pic.twitter.com/xM2FSKVhNr
— New Artist of the Year (@NikitaKering) January 19, 2019
They heard our rallying cry over the controversial photo of Eliud Kipchoge earlier used. Don’t I love KOT when it comes to standing with one of their own! All the best bro @EliudKipchoge pic.twitter.com/Q9WWhVx2n8
— TEETOTALER™ (@LilKoima) January 19, 2019
Finally a decent photo of the CHAMP @EliudKipchoge pic.twitter.com/w7fUORP0KE
— Olé (@Olez) January 19, 2019
Thank you @LaureusSport @EliudKipchoge Looks confident and like the winner he is.
?????? pic.twitter.com/nlowpfNbOm
— Bilha Ngaruiya (@billieitis) January 19, 2019
Don’t joke with #KOT. They have changed @EliudKipchoge photo. This is much better. pic.twitter.com/T5yS7Ol6IZ
— Unique?? (@ShiEunKe) January 19, 2019