Kinzang Lhamo Completes Marathon at Paris Olympics

Kinzang Lhamo, a 26-year-old marathon runner from Bhutan, captured the hearts of spectators at the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing last in the women's marathon with a time of 3:52:59, over an hour and a half behind the gold medalist, Sifan Hassan. Lhamo's determination and perseverance were celebrated as she received a standing ovation from the crowd, embodying the Olympic spirit of participation over victory. She is the first female athlete to represent Bhutan in the Olympics, having previously won the Bhutan marathon and participated in challenging ultramarathons. Despite walking during the last kilometers, Lhamo completed the race, showcasing remarkable grit and resilience. The event highlighted her journey as she was the only woman in a three-member Bhutanese delegation and served as the flagbearer during the opening ceremony. As spectators cheered her on, Lhamo's story resonated with the Olympic ideal that emphasizes finishing the race, much like the famous 1968 marathon of John Stephen Akhwari.