Lerte Tellah – Nairobi
Faith Kipyegon, the world 1500m record holder, was heartbroken when her silver medal from the Paris Olympics was controversially disqualified for obstruction. However, she was relieved when the Jury of Appeal restored it on Monday night.
Kenya secured a 1-2 result in the 12.5-kilometer race as world 10,000-meter record holder Beatrice Chebet won her first gold medal at the Summer Games, charging past Kipyegon to take first place in her first attempt.
With a time of 14:28.56, Chebet secured the win, with her fellow countrywoman Kipyegon coming in second in 14:29.60.
She attempted to move ahead of me when I was in the lead, and I told her to please move slowly so I could forgive her. She persisted in trying.
“I was in front and she tried to come in front and I told her you will push me inside, come slowly I will excuse you and she kept pushing and she put me in an awkward situation. I did not push anyone,” said Kipyegon.
The medal of the recent champion Sifan Hassan, who had profited from Kipyegon’s situation, was reduced to bronze, and Italian Nadia Battocletti took her place back at fourth.
In an attempt to win three straight titles in the distance, Kipyegon will begin her defense of the 1500m title on Tuesday at 11:05.
When the two race against each other again in the 24-lap event on Friday, the newly crowned Olympic champion Chebet will be looking to make a double over the unstoppable Hassan, who is also the current 10,000-meter champion.
