World 10,000 metres record holder Beatrice Chebet and rising star Daniel Mateiko will headline a strong Kenyan contingent in the 25-lap race at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
The pair, who excelled at the Prefontaine Classic last month to secure their spots on Team Kenya, were part of the squad unveiled by Athletics Kenya on Thursday at Riadha House in Nairobi. The Games are set to commence on July 26.
The women’s team includes Lillian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo, while the men’s lineup features Nicholas Kimeli and Bernard Kibet. Chebet, also the World Cross Country champion and World 5km record holder, broke the women’s 10,000 metres world record by nearly seven seconds, clocking 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic.
She surpassed the previous record of 29:01.03 set by Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey three years ago. Kasait finished third with a time of 29:26.89, behind Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay who recorded 29:05.92, and Chelimo placed fourth.
Mateiko, the reigning Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion, won the men’s 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic with a world-leading time of 26:50.81. Kimeli finished second with a personal best of 26:50.94, and Kibet secured third place with 26:51.9.
Athletics Kenya retained Kibet despite other prominent athletes faltering during the trials, including Kibiwott Kandie, Stanley Waithaka, Benson Kiplangat, Bethwel Kurgat, and pre-trials favorite Daniel Simiu.
These six athletes face the challenge of ending Kenya’s long wait for a 10,000 metres gold medal at the Summer Games. The last Kenyan to win gold in the men’s category was the late Naftali Temu at the 1968 Mexico City Games, while Kenya has yet to secure a women’s title since the 25-lap race was introduced in 1988.
Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot came close, winning silver medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games, respectively.
