Kenya's Beatrice Chebet scripts Olympic double: Decoding her campaign
Kenyan sprinter Beatrice Chebet completed an Olympic double with victory in the women's 10,000m at the 2024 Paris Games. She went past the finishing line in 30 minutes and 43.25 seconds. The 24-year-old, who is playing her maiden Olympics, was earlier crowned champion in the 5,000m race. She scripted several records in Paris. Here we decode her Olympic campaign.
Chebet's glory in the 10,000m event
As Chebet entered the 10,000m event as a world record holder, expectations were high from her. The Kenyan sensation didn't disappoint as she dominated the major part of the race. Notably, she faced tough competition from Italian Nadia Battocletti, who took silver in 30:43.35 minutes. Nevertheless, Chebet consolidated her lead in the final lap and gave Kenya its first women's 10,000m Olympic gold.
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As mentioned, Chebet is a world record holder as she completed the 10,000m track in 28:54.14 minutes at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic, which was held in May. Though the Kenyan star was nowhere near her personal best in Paris, her efforts were enough to earn her gold. As mentioned, this was her second top-podium finish in Paris.
Her campaign in the 5000m event
Chebet topped Heat 2 with a time of 15:00.73 minutes to advance to the final in the women's 5000m event. However, she dominated the final race and crossed the line in just 14:28.56 minutes. She was significantly ahead of silver medalist Faith Kipyegon (14:29.60). Notably, Chebet and Kipyegon are compatriots.
Chebet scripts these records
Chebet became Kenya's first Olympic gold medalist in the women's 10,000m event. Notably, all of Kenya's five Olympic medals in this event have come since the 2008 Beijing Games. Meanwhile, Vivian Cheruiyot is the only other Kenyan with an Olympic gold in the women's 5,000m event. She triumphed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Here are Chebet's other accomplishments
Chebet also has two World Championships medals to her name in the 5,000m event as she clinched silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023. She won the 5,000m races at the 2022 Diamond League and 2022 African Championships as well. Extending her sensational run, the Kenyan claimed another 5,000m gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
