Chebet wins gold in 5,000m as Kipyegon’s silver medal reinstated

Beatrice Chebet won Kenya’s first gold medal at the Paris Games after a hard-fought victory over favorite Faith Kipyegon, with the world champion settling for silver medal.

Beatrice Chebet pulled off a stunning feat to surprise Faith Kipyegon and win Kenya’s first gold medal in Paris on Monday. The world silver medalist saved her best for the final in the event which took place in a beautiful setting.

With all eyes on Kipyegon, world record holder Guday Tsegay of Ethiopia and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Chebet ran without pressure and waited for the right opportunity to go to the finish line. Hassan took the lead briefly before falling back as the Ethiopians took the lead after which Kipyegon raced to the front.

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There was a tense moment when the world champion rounded and raced with Tsegay with two legs to go. She then sprinted towards the finish, looking ready to win the gold.

However, Chebet maintained his momentum in the final 60 metres, the two-time world champion overtaking Kipyegon to win his first Olympics and the first gold medal for Kenya at the 2024 Games.

Chebet clocked 14:28.56 while Kipeygon finished second, but disqualified and later reistated after Kenya lodged a complaint to the race officials. Hassan took bronze while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti finished fourth.