Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai and Kenya’s Faith Cherotich claimed silver and bronze respectively in a thrilling 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The race, marked by a dramatic sprint finish, saw Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi emerge victorious, denying Chemutai the opportunity to defend her Olympic title.
The race reached its climax as Chemutai and Yavi were locked together going into the home straight. The two remained neck-and-neck over the final barrier with 50 meters to go.
However, in the last 20 meters, Yavi, the gold medallist at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, found an extra burst of speed to pull ahead, as Chemutai’s resistance finally broke.
Yavi’s winning time of 8:52.76 set a new Olympic record, while Chemutai also set a new Ugandan national record, finishing in 8:53.34. Cherotich finished third, earning the bronze medal for Kenya.
Chemutai entered the race with high hopes of securing Uganda’s second athletics gold at the Games, following Joshua Cheptegei’s victory in the men’s 10,000m.
Initially, it was Kenyan world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech who led for much of the race until Chemutai decided to increase the pace.
The 25-year-old Chemutai held the advantage at the bell, positioned at the head of a group of five athletes including Chepkoech, Cherotich, Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew, and the diminutive Yavi, who was content to bide her time while the others jostled for position.
As the crowd in the Stade de France roared in anticipation, Chemutai and Yavi pulled ahead of the pack to begin their head-to-head battle in the final 100 meters. Ultimately, it was Yavi who demonstrated superior stamina, crossing the line first with arms outstretched in triumph.
Having switched allegiance from Kenya to Bahrain at the age of 15, Yavi’s victory makes her the third competitor to win athletics gold for Bahrain at the Olympics.
She celebrated her achievement with exuberant dancing and screams of delight, while Chemutai and her opponents lay exhausted and dejected on the track.
For Chemutai, the silver medal is a testament to her resilience and determination, even as she fell just short of repeating her Tokyo 2020 triumph.
Cherotich’s bronze adds to Kenya’s rich legacy in the steeplechase, showcasing the depth of talent in the nation.
The race was a memorable spectacle of athletic prowess and competitive spirit, with Yavi’s record-breaking performance and Chemutai and Cherotich’s podium finishes highlighting the event.
Source: BBC Sports
