Kenyan seals distance double in Paris as European No.1 wins brilliant silver for Italy with indefatigable Sifan Hassan third
Beatrice Chebet’s secured her status as one of the stars of the Paris Games by completing a golden distance running double. The Kenyan won the 5000m earlier in the programme and on Friday the 24-year-old won the 10,000m in 30:43.25.
Chebet, who set a world record of 28:54.14 earlier this summer, had to work hard during a 57-second last lap, though, to hold off an inspired challenge from Nadia Battocletti, who finished just one tenth of a second behind in an Italian record.
In third, reigning champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands took bronze in 30:44.12 followed by Kenyans Margaret Kipkemboi and Lilian Rengeruk.
For Chebet, she was delighted to become the first Kenyan to win this title, whereas Battocletti told AW this Olympic silver was more special and satisfying than the 5000m and 10,000m gold medals she won on home soil at the European Championships in Rome in June.
Beatrice Chebet (Getty)
Despite being in the mix with a lap to go and renowned for their finishing speed, Ethiopians Gudaf Tsegay, Fotyen Tesfay and Tsigie Gebreselama finished sixth, seventh and 10th respectively. It was a dismal performance for a nation that has won five of the 10 Olympic titles since this event was first introduced into the programme in 1988.
It wasn’t a great race for British runners either. Eilish McColgan finished 15th in 31:20.51 after an injury-hit 2023 and she was well over a minute outside her best. She was relieved to make the Olympics after such a difficult build-up, though, and now plans to step on to the roads with the Big Half in London among her targets.
“I found it very tough,” said McColgan. “I was obviously lacking in races and it’s just different in the track. But I’m proud of myself. I made the start line and I finished it. It was a hard slog for me today.”
Eilish McColgan and Megan Keith (Getty)
Struggling even more was Megan Keith, who was dropped only five minutes into the race and finished 23rd and last in an underpar 33:19.92 after struggling with an injury to her left ankle in the build-up. Visibly upset, she was a shadow of the athlete who won the Night of the 10,000m PBs in May.
“That was the hardest 25 laps ever,” she said. “I was happy to make the start line and even happier to make the finish line. Even though I came last, I’m proud to be here as an Olympian.”
Eilish McColgan and Megan Keith (Getty)
The Americans fared
The Americans fared better with Weini Kelati clocking 30:49.98 in eighth, followed by Karissa Schweizer in 30:51.99 and then NCAA champion Parker Valby 11th in 30:59.28 on her first trip to Europe.
The runners had passed halfway in 15:49.86 with a big group still in contention led by Daisy Jepkemei of Kazakhstan and Lauren Ryan of Australia leading.
Ryan injected some pace soon after, though, with the field beginning to splinter and McColgan among those to suffer. With eight laps to go there were still 13 runners in the lead pack, however, with Hassan at the back and now Ryan beginning to lose contact. A brutal race also saw Alessia Zarbo of France in trouble with around 3000m to go and stretchered from the track after feeling unwell during the race and collapsing.
Nestled in the pack, the Americans were close together and seemingly drawing strength from each other. Valby even almost went to the front with three and a half laps to go although she later said it was moreso to escape the pushing and shoving in the pack than a definitive front-running move.
Nadia Battocletti (Getty)
Approaching the bell there were still 10 runners in with a chance of a medal. Kipkemboi led with Chebet and Battocletti tucked close in behind. Chebet gradually improved her positioning on the final lap so that she got on the shoulder of Kipkemboi as Battocletti stayed on the kerb and Hassan began to make up ground from eighth at the bell.
Coming into the home straight, Chebet struck past Kipkemboi but Battocletti could sense glory and also moved past Kipkemboi to challenge the leader.
Chebet had just too much for the Italian, though, with Hassan finishing perhaps fastest of all but too late to challenge the leading duo.
Sifan Hassan (Getty)
“To do the 5000m and 10,000m is not something easy,” said Chebet. “But I just focused and believed in myself.
“My country has never won a gold medal (in the women’s 10,000m). So I said I wanted to be the first woman to win a gold medal in the 10,000m.”
Finally, spare a thought for Hassan, who after winning bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m at these Games will now run the marathon on Sunday.
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