Olympic 5,000m champion, Kenyan Beatrice Chebet, made history as she competed for a remarkable double in the 10,000m women’s final at the Paris 2024 Games on Friday night at the Stade de France. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took the silver in 30:43.35 and reigning champion Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan claimed bronze in 30:44.12. As the 10,000m world record holder, Kenyan Chebet was eagerly awaited for the final on Friday. She did not disappoint, becoming the Olympic champion in the 10,000m just four days after securing her 5,000m title, finishing in 30:43.25.
It was a disappointing evening for Ethiopia as three of their athletes finished just outside the medal positions in the 10,000m. Tokyo bronze medalist Gudaf Tsegay ended sixth, while her teammate Foyten Tesfay finished seventh and Tsigie Gebreselama finished tenth. This was a dismal performance for a nation that has claimed five of the 10 Olympic titles since the 10,000m event was first introduced in the 1988 Seoul Olympics including Derartu Tulu’s double wins in Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000, and Tirunesh Dibaba’s victories in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Sports journalist Konjit Teshome lamented, “We have not been well prepared for this Olympics, and we cannot reap what we did not sow.”
Starting slowly, the pack of runners steadily accelerated, with athletes dropping off one by one. By the final lap, only about ten remained, and the race was ultimately decided in a sprint. Chebet had to fight until the end to avoid being overtaken by Battocletti. Meanwhile, hidden as usual at the back of the pack, Sifan Hassan surged past her rivals one by one to secure the bronze medal. A two-time Olympic champion from Tokyo 2021 in the 5,000m and 10,000m, Sifan secured her second bronze medal in Paris. She is now aiming for an unprecedented achievement for a woman at the Olympics by also competing in the marathon on Sunday morning.
Chebet’s two golds in the span of five days have put Kenya at the top of Africa’s medal table, with two days of competition remaining in the French capital.
