Head coach Patrick Sang shocked everyone by posting on social media, accusing the organizers of the Tokyo 2025 event of favoring major teams like the USA and Jamaica in terms of scheduling and allocating training conditions. He claimed that the NN Running Team, especially athlete Eliud Kipchoge, was assigned a training field far from the center, lacked modern equipment, and faced an unfavorable competition schedule, which affected their performance. The Tokyo 2025 organizers’ response was stunning, prompting athletes from other countries to speak out, sparking a debate about fairness in international competitions.

Head coach Patrick Sang shocked everyone by posting on social media, accusing the organizers of the Tokyo 2025 event of favoring major teams like the USA and Jamaica in terms of scheduling and allocating training conditions. He claimed that the NN Running Team, especially athlete Eliud Kipchoge, was assigned a training field far from the center, lacked modern equipment, and faced an unfavorable competition schedule, which affected their performance. The Tokyo 2025 organizers’ response was stunning, prompting athletes from other countries to speak out, sparking a debate about fairness in international competitions.

 

The athletics world was shaken this week when legendary coach Patrick Sang took to social media with a blistering post accusing the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships organizers of blatant favoritism. Sang, the longtime coach of marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge and head of the NN Running Team, alleged that his team had been unfairly treated in terms of training conditions, scheduling, and logistical support — with major advantages allegedly granted to powerhouse nations such as the USA and Jamaica.

Sang’s post detailed a series of grievances, including the assignment of subpar training facilities located far from Tokyo’s center, outdated equipment, and what he called a “deliberately disruptive” competition schedule. According to Sang, these conditions directly impacted the NN Running Team’s ability to prepare and perform at the highest level, citing that Kipchoge, one of the most decorated marathoners in history, was “denied a level playing field.”

“The ideals of international sport are rooted in fairness,” Sang wrote. “What we have experienced in Tokyo goes against everything athletics stands for. It is unacceptable that some teams are afforded the best resources, the best slots, and the best conditions — while others are left to struggle in the margins.”

The post quickly went viral, sparking an immediate reaction across the athletics community. Many were stunned not only by the content of the accusations but also by the fact that such a high-profile figure would go public with such claims during an ongoing global event. Within hours, hashtags like #FairPlay2025 and #SupportNNRunning began trending on social media.

The Tokyo 2025 organizing committee responded swiftly — and sharply. In a formal statement, they “categorically denied” any bias or mismanagement, asserting that all teams were allocated resources based on logistics, capacity, and pre-submitted preferences. However, in a move that surprised many, the statement also included pointed language questioning the “timing and motivation” behind Sang’s allegations, hinting at possible political or competitive agendas.

This response only fueled the fire. Athletes from several countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and even smaller European nations, began sharing their own experiences, many echoing similar concerns about unequal treatment and lack of access to high-quality facilities. Some athletes claimed that their warm-up times were shifted without notice or that their gear was mishandled by staff — while others noted the clear disparity in the accommodations and support offered to the top-tier teams.

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, while not directly addressing the allegations, commented diplomatically, “Fairness must be at the heart of what we do. No athlete should feel sidelined because of where they come from.”

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has yet to make an official statement, but sources indicate that internal discussions are underway to review the claims and determine whether any formal investigation is warranted.

As the Championships continue, the issue has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of global athletic excellence. Sang’s post may have ignited controversy, but it has also opened a long-overdue conversation about fairness, transparency, and equity in international sport — one that may reshape future competitions.