World 1,500m and Mile record holder Faith Kipyegon aims to clinch her first medal in the women’s 5,000m at the Paris Olympics on Monday at 10:15 pm.
Kipyegon breezed through the heats on Friday, clocking 14:57.56, closely followed by defending champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands (14:57.65) and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti (14:57.65).
Margaret Chelimo (14:57.70), Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay (14:57.84) and Ejgayehu Taye (14:57.97), along with Americans Elise Cranny (14:58.55) and Karissa Schweizer (14:59.64), also secured spots in the final.
Kipyegon, a two-time 1,500m Olympic champion from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, is eager to garnish her rich trophy cabinet with the 5,000m Olympic title.
Reflecting on her heat, Kipyegon acknowledged the competitiveness of the race. “It was a really strong heat. I am thankful I managed to secure a ticket to the final. I am looking forward and hope to do my best in the finals,” Kipyegon said.
Kipyegon will, however, have to wrestle the title from Hassan who clocked 14:36.79 in Tokyo to clinch the crown followed by Hellen Obiri (14:38.36) and Tsegay (14:38.87).
Indeed, Kipyegon is no stranger to competing against Hassan. She defeated her at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, clocking 14:53.88, with Hassan finishing in 14:54.11.
Kipyegon also beat Hassan in the 1,500m at the same championships, finishing in 3:54.87 to Hassan’s 3:56.00. Kipyegon has also bested Tsegay, notably at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, where she won the 1,500m gold in 3:52.96, with Tsegay clocking 3:54.52.
The 30-year-old enters the final as a favourite, having set a world record of 14:05.20 in the 5,000m last June at the Paris meeting, though Tsegay later broke this record with a time of 14:00.21 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in September.
Kipyegon will also compete in the 1,500m, looking to defend her title and secure a historic third Olympic gold in the event. The 1,500m heats are scheduled for Tuesday at 11:05 am.
Margaret Chelimo expressed her satisfaction at making the final. “I am happy to make the final. That was the first step. I am also delighted that we have made it as Team Kenya. I was nervous because of the strong field, but I achieved my target,” she revealed after her race.
Also in the fray is World 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet who won her heat in 15:00.73 leading Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa (15:00.82) and Australia’s Rose Davies (15:00.86).
Chebet will also be spearheading Kenya's charge in the women's 10,000m on Friday at 10:00 pm. Kenya is yet to win an Olympic gold in the women's 10,000m event.
