Chebet Triumphs with Thrilling Finish to Secure 5,000m Olympic Gold in Paris
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet emerged victorious in the Olympic 5,000m race in Paris on Monday, 5 August 2024, securing gold with a time of 14:28.56.
Chebet’s electrifying final sprint outpaced her compatriot Faith Kipyegon, who crossed the line second and was briefly disqualified for obstruction following a clash with Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay two laps from the finish. An appeal led to Kipyegon’s reinstatement as the silver medallist.
The race featured a high-stakes showdown among the fastest women in history at this distance: defending Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, reigning world champion Kipyegon, and world record holder Tsegay.
Chebet, a two-time world medallist, executed a tactically astute race, staying among the leaders before launching her decisive kick in the final stretch.
Tokyo 2020 champion Hassan claimed the bronze in 14:30.61, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti set a national record of 14:31.64, finishing fourth.
Chebet’s victory not only adds to her medal collection from the world championships but also disrupts the ambitions of her elite competitors to expand their gold medal tallies at these Games.
Throughout the 12-and-a-half-lap race, Chebet, Kipyegon, and Tsegay maintained prominent positions, with Hassan strategically holding back until the final stages.
The contest intensified with two laps remaining when Kipyegon and Tsegay’s tussle allowed Tsegay to momentarily lead. However, Kipyegon surged ahead with 500m to go, closely followed by Chebet.
In the last 50m, Chebet accelerated past Kipyegon, capturing the gold and etching her name in Olympic history. The race’s dramatic conclusion showcased the depth of talent and competition in women’s distance running, with Chebet’s triumph standing out as a highlight of the Paris 2024 Games.
