- The world record holder of Ethiopia, Tsegay, 27, who was the apparent opponent, tried to cut over from the outside, thus triggering the reaction from Faith Kipyegon. However, Tsegay unhappily continued with the race and held the lead before Beatrice Chebet, 24, and Faith Kipyegon overtook her again and maintained the lead to the finishing line.
- Beatrice Chebet became the eventual winner of the Gold and Faith pocketing Silver in the second position after a successful appeal against her disqualification.
- This reinstation of Kipyegon has opened another chance for her to race in the same event today. President William Ruto in his x-space has congratulated Chebet and Kipyegon for the victory they have wrought for Kenya.
Faith Kipyegon has been Kenya's pride in successive Olympics around the world. She has always strived to raise the Kenyan flag whenever she gets the chance to do so. Among her records, it can be vividly recalled that she won gold in the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics in 2016 and 2020, respectively, in addition to other rewards in recent years.
The dream of this heroine at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024 seemed to undergo a challenging storm after a ruling that appeared to deny her rightful gain to silver medal in the women’s 5,000-meter race. This act resulted in Kipyegon's shovel towards Tsegay Gudaf, 27 barely 13 minutes into the race, and at this point, Kipyegon was leading.
The world record holder of Ethiopia, Tsegay, 27, who was the apparent opponent, tried to cut over from the outside, thus triggering the reaction from Faith Kipyegon. However, Tsegay unhappily continued with the race and held the lead before Beatrice Chebet, 24, and Faith Kipyegon overtook her again and maintained the lead to the finishing line.
Beatrice Chebet became the eventual winner of the Gold and Faith pocketing Silver in the second position after a successful appeal against her disqualification.
The code of TR17.2.2 [O] clearly states, “If another athlete is found by the Referee to be responsible for the jostling or obstruction, such athlete (or their team) shall be liable to disqualification from that event. The Referee may if they are of the opinion that an athlete (or their team) was seriously affected, in accordance with Rule 18.7 of the Competition Rules or Rule 8.4 of the Technical Rules, order that the race (for one, some or all of the athletes) be re-held excluding any disqualified athlete (or team) or allow any affected athlete (or team) (other than any disqualified athlete or team) to compete in a subsequent round of the event.”
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Graciously, Kipyegon's appeal was heard, and her Silver was reinstated. As for the earlier holder of the same, Sifan Hassan of Netherlands was downgraded to Bronze as Nadia Battocletti (Italy), 24, was left out of the podium. Interestingly, Hassan showed no indication of discontent at the press conference with the decision to reinstate the Silver to Kipyegon, as vindicated in her comment, where she acknowledged that Kipyegon deserved the Silver and anticipated the switch.
“It really doesn’t matter. I already knew she was going to protest,” Hassan said of Kipyegon, adding that she and Chebet have been “phenomenal” this year. “I’m really happy with my bronze medal; I love it.”
This reinstation of Kipyegon has opened another chance for her to race in the same event today. President William Ruto in his x-space has congratulated Chebet and Kipyegon for the victory they have wrought for Kenya.
“What a show of excellence from the Kenyan team at the Paris Olympic Games. We are proud of Beatrice Chebet for opening Kenya's gold account with her win in the Women's 5,000m final. Congratulations Mary Moraa for winning bronze in the Women’s 800m. For Faith Kipyegon, keep the faith,” President Ruto said on X.
