Kenya’s quest for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics heats up on Tuesday night as Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech, Brian Komen, and Timothy Cheruiyot take to the track for their respective finals at the Stade de France.
Cherotich, the world under-20 champion, and Chepkoech, the world record holder, aim to secure Kenya’s first title in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. Hyvin Kiyeng is the only athlete to have come close, winning silver and bronze at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, respectively.
In the men’s 1,500m race, Olympic silver medallist Cheruiyot and national champion Komen will compete at the same venue.
The four athletes advanced to their finals following impressive performances in the semifinals on Sunday.
Chepkoech dominated Semifinal Two with a time of 9:13.56, finishing ahead of France’s Finot Alice (9:14.78) and Germany’s Lea Meyer (9:14.85). Cherotich, a debutant, clocked 9:10.57 to secure second place in her semi, just behind Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda (9:10.51) and ahead of Germany’s Krause Felistas (9:10.68).
Komen shared his experience of overcoming illness to reach the final. “I was worried,” he said. “I had a cold from yesterday (Saturday), which left me with a congested chest, but I thank God I made it to the final. I hope to be fine for Tuesday to battle for a medal. I’m confident we will strategize for a medal or two with Timothy.”
Meanwhile, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego kicks off his competition in the qualification rounds of Group A. Yego aims for a strong finish as he competes in his fourth Olympic Games.
He made his debut in London 2012, finishing 12th, secured silver at Rio 2016, and placed 24th at Tokyo 2020. “I feel good and ready for tomorrow’s qualifying rounds. I’m hopeful of making it to the final of this exciting Paris Olympics,” he stated.
Also competing are two-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, and Susan Ejore in Round One of the 1500m event. Kipyegon holds the world record in the distance with a time of 3:49.04, set at this year’s Paris Diamond League, and also has the world mile record of 4:07.64 from the 2023 Monaco Diamond League. Chepchirchir and Ejore will be making their Olympic debuts.
