•They all sailed through to the final convincingly. Kurgat was bullish after finishing fifth in Heat One, timing 14:08.76 behind compatriot Krop (14:08.73).
•Meanwhile, Kurgat doesn't expect a smooth sail in the final despite the withdrawal of the Ugandan duo of Jacob Kiplimo and two-time Olympic 10000m champion Joshua Cheptegei.
Image: NOCK MEDIA
The Kenyan trio of Edwin Kurgat, Jacob Krop and Ronald Kwemoi is optimistic of delivering a first Olympic 5000m title at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kenya has not struck the title since 1988 when John Ngugi claimed the crown in 13:11.70.
They all sailed through to the final convincingly. Kurgat was bullish after finishing fifth in Heat One, timing 14:08.76 behind compatriot Krop (14:08.73).
"Everything seemed to go well. I wanted to stay up front to avoid all the drama — pushing and shoving," he said.
"The coaches want us to be careful after many of my teammates have had problems. You all saw what happened to Faith (Kipyegon)."
"The coaches have asked us to avoid lane one... better run on the outside. It's what I did today."
Meanwhile, Kurgat doesn't expect a smooth sail in the final despite the withdrawal of the Ugandan duo of Jacob Kiplimo and two-time Olympic 10000m champion Joshua Cheptegei.
"It's one problem removed but there are many more awaiting us. The challenge is still the same. Everybody is fitter than before. You have seen in the rest of the races, that whoever was expected to win didn't," he said. "We have a chance, though, to go out there and give our best and deliver a medal."
The US-based runner is elated to debut for Team Kenya.
"It's the best feeling I have had in a long time. I have always wanted to represent Kenya. Getting this chance was a big moment for me. I am grateful and ready to give a big fight for a medal," he said.
Kwemoi was calm and collected, insisting he didn't have to work too hard while finishing sixth in Heat Two, timing 13:52.51.
"I executed my race as planned. My target was to advance without expending too much energy. I kept counting those in front of me to ensure I was safely inside the automatic slots," he said.
"Winning the heat was not important. There was nothing to claim."
The former 1500m runner is pleased with his progression and has trained hard for the 5000m with eyes on the 10,000m and the marathon.
" The qualifiers were tough but the final will be about tactics," he said.
" We will plan with the coaches on how to deliver the title. It doesn't matter who. This title has eluded us for ages. We will work for it. We win, well and good, we don't, we'll know we gave it our all."
He is pleased after shaking off an injury two months into the games.
"I had a hamstring injury some two months ago but I'm fully recovered," said Krop.
"It was a chaotic race, with a lot of pushing and shoving. That's why I decided to stay upfront," he said, adding that the absence of the Ugandan frontrunners gives him hope.
"Their absence gives us a chance but we still have to work hard for the medals."