The Olympics are not only a competition for athletes, but also for their suppliers: running shoes are now a billion-dollar market.
When the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge ran through the Brandenburg Gate last September, there was only polite applause. The legend needed just over two hours to run the 42.195 kilometers across Berlin. He won, but was disappointed, as everyone had hoped for a new world record under two hours. But the sensation is already on the home stretch, a good two minutes behind Kipchoge: Amanal Petros runs a new German record. And Tigist Assefa is also on the way, almost nine minutes behind, a new women’s world record.
Source: Stern
