The other Kenyan, Margaret Chelimo, came in fourth with a season-best time of 14:32.23.
UPDATE: Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon has officially clinched the silver medal in the women’s 5000m final after finishing second. This is after Kenya successfully challenged the appeal against her disqualification in Paris, France after she was accused of pushing Ethiopia’s Tsegay Gudaf.Â
In a statement, Athletics Kenya disclosed that the appeal was led by Milka Chemos, Bernard Ouma and Team Manager Peter Angwenyi, who won the case to deliver Kenya’s third medal of the games.Â
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet has ended the country’s wait for a medal in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, winning gold in the women’s 5000m final.
Chebet on Monday, August 5 won at a time of 14:28.56, beating her fellow countrywoman, Faith Kipyegon, who finished second. However, a controversial incident saw Kipyegon disqualified, denying Kenya a 1-2 finish.
Kipyegon lost the silver medal to immediate defending champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands. This is after she was accused of pushing Ethiopia’s Tsegay Gudaf. The incident is however being appealed.
Incident between Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon and Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay during the 5000M final race that resulted in Kipyegon’s disqualification#ViralVideos #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/9b2KGRwk1F
— Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) August 5, 2024
The other Kenyan, Margret Chelimo, came in fourth with a season-best time of 14:32.23.
The world silver medallist saved the best for last in what was an ill-tempered race that had a quality field.
With all eyes on Kipyegon, world record holder Guday Tsegay of Ethiopia and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, Chebet ran without pressure and waited for the right opportunity to go for the kill.
Hassan briefly surged forward before retreating while Ethiopian runners also took the lead after which Kipyegon raced ahead.
There was a moment of worry when the world champion was boxed in and had a go at Tsegay with two laps to go. She then sprinted forward after the bell and it appeared she was set to claim gold.
However, Chebet kept pace with her and in the final 60m, the double world cross-country champion went past Kipyegon to claim her first Olympics title and the first gold for Kenya at the 2024 Games.
Chebet clocked 14:28.56 as Kipeygon finished second but there would be a further shocker for her as she was disqualified with Hassan elevated to second place in 14.30.61 while Italian Nadia Battocletti was awarded a bronze medal.
It was not immediately clear why Kipyegon was disqualified but it appeared that her altercation on the track could have led to the shocking decision with obstruction cited as the main reason.
Kenya’s Mary Moraa Takes Bronze
Meanwhile, in the women’s 800m race, world champion Mary Moraa timed 1:57.42 to bag bronze, Kenya’s second medal.
The race was won by Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson who produced a thrilling gun-to-tape run to clock 1:56.72. Ethiopian Tsige Duguma claimed silver in 1:57.15.
“What a show of excellence from the Kenyan team at the Paris Olympic Games. We are proud of Beatrice Chebet for opening Kenya’s gold account with her win in the Women’s 5,000m final.
“Congratulations Mary Moraa for winning bronze in the women’s 800m. For Faith Kipyegon, keep the faith!” President William Ruto wrote on his social media pages.
