The Kenyan duo of Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon finished first and second, respectively, to claim the gold and silver medals in the final of the women’s 5000m race at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday.
Chebet, a bronze medallist from the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in 2023, stunned the rest of the field to claim a maiden title at the Olympics in a time of 14 minutes and 28.56 seconds (14:28.56) at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.
It's official 👏
Legendary women's 5000m podium ⬇️
🥇 Beatrice Chebet 🇰🇪
🥈 Faith Kipyegon 🇰🇪
🥉 Sifan Hassan 🇳🇱 #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/miotkAOIDS— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 5, 2024
Meanwhile, Kipyegon, the two-time Olympic gold medallist in the women’s 1500m event and the reigning world champion in the 5000m, who was making her Olympic debut in the 5000m, was the subject of a controversial decision during the race.
Kipyegon was initially disqualified from the race for “obstruction” after a collision with world record holder, Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, with two laps remaining. However, following an appeal from Team Kenya, the 30-year-old’s medal was reinstated.
“Congratulations to Faith Kipyegon, her silver medal has been reinstated. Kenya’s team officials led by Milka Chemos, Bernard Ouma and Team Manager Peter Angwenyi successfully appealed and won her case. Viva kenya,” a statement uploaded on Athletics Kenya official X page read.
Congratulations to Faith Kipyegon, her silver medal 🥈 has been reinstated. Kenya’s team officials led by Milka Chemos, Bernard Ouma and Team Manager Peter Angwenyi successfully appealed and won her case
Viva kenya 🇰🇪 #ParisOlympics20 pic.twitter.com/6uVFDy68sx— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) August 5, 2024
Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan finished in third place to take home the bronze medal. The Tokyo 2020 champion clocked a time of 14:30.61.
