Things got heated on the track in Paris tonight with the women’s 5000m.
Beatrice Chebet brought home Kenya’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games after showing both speed and strength in the women’s 5000m. Running a time of 14:28.56, she finished over two seconds ahead of silver medalist Faith Kipyegon.
Sifan Hassan, who will also compete in the 10,000m final and the marathon, finished in the bronze medal position with a time of 14:30.61, securing her first medal of her unprecedented triple.
However, the excitement with this 5,000m goes beyond a stacked lineup and fast times.
Faith Kipyegon, a heavy favorite for today’s race, actually crossed the line just behind her compatriot and victor, Chebet. However, following the race, Kipyegon was disqualified for shoving Gudaf Tsegay during the race.
Chebet, after being shown video of Kipyegon’s disqualification, said, “I’m sorry for her.“
I’ve just shown Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet video of the disqualification of her Kenyan teammate Faith Kipyegon.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) August 5, 2024
It was a look a disbelief when she watched. Shaking her head.
“I’m sorry for her” pic.twitter.com/ALR2ii2JA5
Following an appeal, the decision was made to reinstate Kipyegon, leaving her with a finishing time of 14:29.60.
Letsrun nation is this a DQ? Faith Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay tangle (and for those of you who don’t know who got DQd look at the next post) pic.twitter.com/YDvbxQ9vwI
— LetsRun.com (@letsrundotcom) August 5, 2024
Kipyegon came into this race in top form after recently setting a new world record in the 1,500m during the Diamond League race in Paris. Kipyegon ran a blazing time of 3:49.04, beating the long-standing previous record by over one second. She was expected to use that for top-end speed to end up on the podium in this race.
Kipyegon will have another chance at Olympic glory in the women’s 1,500m final, which takes place on Saturday, August 10.
