In a breathtaking display of athletic prowess, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held at the iconic Stade de France.
Cheptegei, a three-time world champion in the event, added the Olympic title to his illustrious career with a record-breaking time of 26:43.14, setting a new Olympic record and surpassing the previous best of 27:07.17 set by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele at the 2008 Beijing Games.
The atmosphere was electric as the crowd’s roar nearly drowned out the bell signaling the final lap.
Cheptegei, demonstrating remarkable patience and strategic acumen, bided his time while his Ethiopian rivals—Berihu Aregawi, Yomif Kejelcha, and defending champion Selemon Barega—repeatedly attempted to dictate the race’s pace.
However, it was Cheptegei’s decisive move in the final stages that secured his victory.
As the world record-holder surged into the lead, the challenge from his competitors intensified. Aregawi, who had been a constant presence at the front, launched a final surge but fell short, claiming silver in 26:43.44.
Meanwhile, the United States’ Grant Fisher, maintaining his form and composure despite a near knockdown, earned the bronze with a time of 26:43.46, narrowly edging out Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed, who finished fourth.
Cheptegei’s victory was not just a triumph of skill and endurance but also of inspiration and perseverance. Reflecting on his achievement, Cheptegei recalled the impact of witnessing Bekele’s victory in Beijing 16 years earlier.
“It’s the dream of young people to achieve what they want to achieve in life,” he said. “Barely 16 years ago when I was watching the great Kenenisa Bekele win in Beijing, it was something that grew in my heart. I said, one day, one time, I want to be Olympic champion.”
For Cheptegei, now 27, this Olympic gold represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. Having secured silver in Tokyo, his disappointment then fueled his determination to reach the top of the podium in Paris.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time. When I took silver in Tokyo, I was disappointed. I wanted just to win the 10,000m. It took a lot of courage. It’s really amazing, this one was still missing. Three times world champion, now I can add the Olympic title to this.”
The race itself was a testament to the intense competition and strategic battles typical of the 10,000m event. The initial surge came just two laps into the 25-lap race, with Barega and Kejelcha accelerating to break up the field.
Despite the early fragmentation, all runners managed to hold on, creating a dynamic and fluctuating race. As the Ethiopian trio of Aregawi, Kejelcha, and Barega continued to push the pace, the field gradually thinned out, with Cheptegei and Fisher making their way through the pack.
In the final kilometre, as the race reached its climax, Aregawi took the lead once more, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Cheptegei’s decisive move just before the bell for the last lap showcased his tactical brilliance and unmatched speed.
While Ahmed and Fisher jostled for positions behind him, Cheptegei maintained his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line to claim his well-deserved gold.
Barega, despite his efforts, finished seventh with a time of 26:44.48, one spot behind Kejelcha. Ahmed secured fourth place, with Kenya’s Benard Kibet completing the top five.
Cheptegei’s victory in the first athletics final of the Paris 2024 Games marks a historic moment for Uganda and a personal milestone for an athlete who has continually pushed the boundaries of long-distance running.
