August 05, (THEWILL) – Kenyan runner, Beatrice Chebet, won gold in the Olympics women’s 5,000m event on Monday, ending Sifan Hassan’s hopes of a long-distance triple gold medal haul. Chebet, known for her tactical running, timed her sprint perfectly to overtake compatriot Faith Kipyegon in the final stretch, finishing with a time of 14 minutes and 28.56 seconds.
Kipyegon initially finished second but was later disqualified for pushing during the race’s closing laps. This decision promoted Hassan of the Netherlands to silver medal position with a time of 14:30.61, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti claimed bronze, clocking 14:31.64.
The 31-year-old Hassan had been aiming to become the first woman to win gold in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at a single Olympics. This feat has only been achieved once before, by Czech runner Emil Zátopek in the men’s events at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Despite her usual strategy of staying at the back of the pack for most of the race, Hassan could not match the pace set by the Kenyan runners in the final stages.
The victory marks another milestone in Chebet’s impressive 2024 season. The 24-year-old set a world record in the 10,000m earlier this year in Eugene, Oregon. She now sets her sights on the Olympic 10,000m event, scheduled for Friday, where she will attempt to claim Hassan’s current title.
This result highlights Kenya’s continued dominance in long-distance running events, with Chebet emerging as a formidable force on the global athletics stage. Her tactical approach and strong finish demonstrate the depth of talent in Kenyan distance running, setting the stage for an exciting 10,000m race later in the week.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
