Paris, August 5, 2024 -- In a surprise development at the ongoing Paris Olympics, Beatrice Chebet clinched gold in the women's 5000 meters, returning 14 minutes 28.56 seconds. The first-ever gold at the Paris games for Kenya, this victory sends shockwaves across the country, filling it with pride and celebrating its win.
What a surprise it was for Chebet to win, given the strong presence of her compatriot Faith Kipyegon, champion extraordinaire and defending champion from previous Olympics. Kipyegon crossed the line second in 14:29.60 but was later disqualified after a controversial incident involving elbows with world-record holder Gudaf Tsegay two laps before the finish. The disqualification bumped the Netherlands' Sifan Hassan up to silver-medal position in 14:30.61, dropping the Italian Nadia Battocletti to third in 14:31.64.
Chebet was leading most of the distance and broke clear from the start, racing much of it with her rival Kipyegon and fellow Kenyan Margaret Kipkemboi. In the last 400 meters, Tokyo champion Hassan tore from fifth place to defend the title but could not match the Kenyan in the final stretch.
The atmosphere inside the Stade de France was electric as Chebet crossed the finish, met with wild cheers from a packed audience. In that wonderful moment, Chebet hugged and celebrated with Kipyegon, both draped in Kenyan flags. Then realization hit Kipyegon that she was being disqualified, off the podium.
Chebet added yet another gold and a silver to the Kenyan medal count. The lass's win was quite unexpected, but it stamps her great talent and a momentous occasion in Olympic history, bringing great joy and pride to Kenyans the world over.
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