Kenyan Athlete Chebet Claims 5,000m Gold At Olympics
Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet won the women’s Olympic 5,000m event at the Paris Games, beating compatriot Faith Kipyegon, whose silver medal was reinstated after she had been controversially disqualified.
Chebet won in 14 minutes 28.56 seconds as the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (14:30.61) claimed silver and Italian Nadia Battocletti took bronze (14:31.64). The Kenyan produced a thrilling finish to win the first medal for her country at the Paris Olympics and smiled widely as she crossed the line after an exhausting performance.
Gold on your Olympic debut, Beatrice Chebet take a bow. pic.twitter.com/hgGlQ9GVwO
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 5, 2024
World champion Kipyegon had finished second in 14:29.60, but was disqualified after a clash with Ethiopian world record holder Gudaf Tsegay on the penultimate lap.
Her silver medal, however, was later reinstated following an appeal by the Kenyan team, pushing Hassan down to bronze-medal position and bumping Battocletti off the podium.
Chebet hugged and cheered with Kipyegon as the pair donned Kenyan flags to wild applause from the packed Stade de France.
“Congratulations to Faith Kipyegon, her silver medal has been reinstated,” Athletics Kenya said on social media platform X.
“Kenya’s team officials led by Milka Chemos, Bernard Ouma and Team Manager Peter Angwenyi successfully appealed and won her case.”
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
