Kenya's rush for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics intensifies Tuesday night as Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech, Brian Komen and Timothy Cheruiyot compete in their respective finals at the Stade de France in Paris.
Cherotich, the world under-20 champion, and Chepkoech, the world record holder, will seek to deliver Kenya's first 3,000m steeplechase title.
Only Hyvin Kiyeng has come close with silver and bronze from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 respectively.
Olympic silver medallist, Cheruiyot and Komen, the national champion, will do duty in the men's 1500m race at the same venue.
The quartet rolled into their respective deciders after convincing displays in the semifinals on Sunday.
Chepkoech won Semifinal Two with a gun-to-tape display in 9:13.56 ahead of home girl Finot Alice ( 9:14.78 ) and Germany’s Lea Meyer ( 9:14.85).
Debutant Cherotich ( 9:10.57) finished second in her semi, behind Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda ( 9:10.51) and ahead of Germany’s Krause Felistas ( 9:10.68 ).
Komen narrated how he overcame illness to make the final on debut.
"I was worried," he said. "I have a cold from yesterday (Saturday) which left me with a congested chest but I thank God I am in the final."
"I hope to be fine for Tuesday, to battle for a medal. I am confident. We will, alongside Timothy, strategise for a medal or two."
Meanwhile, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego begins his competition when he parades in the qualification rounds off Group A.
Yego hopes to sign off in style when he competes at a fourth Olympic Games.
He made his debut in London 2012, finishing 12th, struck a silver at Rio 2016 and finished 24th at Tokyo 2020.
He said: "I feel good and ready for tomorrow’s qualifying rounds. I am hopeful of making the final of this exciting Paris Olympics."
Also in action is the trio of two-time Olympic Games 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir and Susan Ejore as they battle in Round One of the 1500m contest.
Kipyegon is the world record holder over the distance with a time of 3:49.04, coincidentally, set at this year's Paris Diamond League.
She also has the world mile record of 4:07.64 from the 2023 Monaco Diamond League. Chepchirchir and Ejore are making their Olympic debuts.
