Summary
– Faith Kipyegon wins women’s 5000m at Paris Olympics trials.
– First race of the year.
– Beatrice Chebet second, Margaret Chelimo third.
– Kipyegon returns from hamstring injury.
Faith Kipyegon, renowned for holding two world records, triumphed in the women’s 5000m event at the Kenya national trials for the Paris Olympics, marking a stellar return to competition in her first race of the year.
Clocking an impressive time of 14:46.28, the two-time Olympics and World 1500m champion demonstrated her prowess on the track, outpacing her competitors. Beatrice Chebet, the current world record holder in the women’s 10,000m, secured second place with a time of 14:52.55, while Margaret Chelimo, the 2022 World 10,000m bronze medalist, finished third with 14:59.39.
Struggled Victory
For Kipyegon, the victory was particularly poignant as she had been grappling with a nagging hamstring injury.
Her successful return was met with gratitude towards her supporters and fans who had been eagerly awaiting her comeback.
Reflecting on her journey, Kipyegon expressed relief and joy at being able to compete at a high level again after a challenging period of recovery.
“I thank God that I have run really well today after being out for a long time. People have been asking ‘where is Faith?’ and so I had to come out and clarify that I have been grappling with an injury. I thank my fans and everyone who has been supporting me through this trying time,” Kipyegon said.
How it went down
During the race itself, Kipyegon strategically navigated the 12-and-a-half lap distance, initially pacing herself towards the back of the pack.
However, as the race progressed, she executed a decisive move in the final laps, showcasing her trademark strong finish that propelled her to the front.
Despite a spirited effort from Chebet to close the gap, Kipyegon’s lead proved insurmountable, securing her place at the top of the leaderboard.
Looking forward to the upcoming Paris Olympics, Kipyegon exuded confidence in the potential of her team, emphasizing the camaraderie and shared success she has experienced with Chebet and Chelimo in previous competitions.
She highlighted their collective determination to excel in the women’s 5000m event and bring glory to their country once again on the international stage.
“It is a really great team…working with this girl here (Beatrice). We were together in Budapest and I won gold and she won bronze. This time we are going to do our best to see what we can do in the women’s 5000m in Paris,” she said.
Beyond the trials, Kipyegon is also gearing up to defend her title in the women’s 1500m event at the summer races, underscoring her versatility and ambition across multiple distances.
Her preparations reflect a blend of resilience, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to achieving excellence in athletics.
2024 Kenya Athletics Olympic Trials Day One: Notable Results
- Lilian Odira took home the women’s 800m title with a time of 1:59.27.
- Faith Cherotich captured the women’s 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 9:22.38.
- Michael Nzuku won the men’s 110m hurdle final with a time of 14.49.
- Reynold Cheruiyot won the men’s 1,500m final with a time of 3:35.63.
- Rahab Wanjiru Ndirangu took home the women’s 400m hurdle title with a time of 1:01:00.
- Monica Safania won her women’s 100m semi-final with a time of 12.23.
- Esther Mbagari won her women’s 100m semi-final with a time of 11.71.
- Mark Otieno Odhiambo won his men’s 100m semi-final with a time of 10.27.
- Hesborn Ochieng won his men’s 100m semi-final with a time of 10.45.
- Moses Wasike won his men’s 200m semi-final with a time of 21.40.
- Wiseman Mukhobe won his men’s 200m semi-final with a time of 20.80.
- Mike Mokamba won his men’s 200m semi-final with a time of 21.10.
- Shida Leni won her women’s 400m semi-final with a time of 52.30.
- Mercy Chebet won her women’s 400m semi-final with a time of 52.49.
- Kevin Kiprotich Tonui won his men’s 400m semi-final with a time of 45.74.
- Nicholas Kipkorir won his men’s 400m semi-final with a time of 45.74.
- David Kapirante won his men’s 400m semi-final with a time of 45.58.
The top two finishers in each event, while also meeting the Olympic standard, will qualify for Paris with Athletics Kenya picking the third roster spot.*
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
