Kenya’s Chebet charges to 5,000m gold as Kipyegon disqualified

PARIS :Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the women’s Olympic 5,000 metres as she delivered a textbook performance to outkick compatriot Faith Kipyegon, who was controversially disqualified after initially finishing second.
Chebet won in 14 minutes 28.56 seconds as the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (14:30.61) claimed silver and Italian Nadia Battocletti took bronze (14:31.64).
Chebet produced a thrilling finish to win the first medal for her country at the Paris Olympics and smiled widely as she crossed the line after an exhausting performance.
World champion Kipyegon had finished second in 14:29.60 but was disqualified after a clash with Ethiopian world record holder Gudaf Tsegay on the penultimate lap.
Asked about the status of a potential Kenyan appeal of the disqualification, World Athletics said “decision on hold”.
Chebet, runner-up at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and bronze medallist in Budapest last year, took the early lead and hung in with Kipyegon through much of the race before surging past her off the final bend.
Tokyo champion Hassan was in fifth place heading into the final 400 and dug deep to try to hang on to her Olympic crown but could not match the Kenyans’ speed around the final turn.
Chebet hugged and cheered with Kipyegon as the pair donned Kenyan flags to wild applause from the packed Stade de France.
It quickly became clear, however, that Kipyegon would not join her on the podium as her name disappeared from the results list and she was later marked disqualified.
“I am so sad for Faith and I hope justice will be done. Because Faith did not do anything bad,” Chebet told reporters. “I think she will get it (the medal) in the end.”
Hassan stood squinting at a monitor showing the results as Battocletti stood by in a confusing scene minutes after the race.
“I’m happy for you guys – for me, I don’t care,” Hassan said.
The Dutchwoman will continue a gruelling Paris campaign with the 10,000m and marathon on her agenda.
“It’s my crazy thing, I just want to complete it. I know people have done (three events) before, but not in the 10,000 metres and marathon. I’m very curious,” said Hassan.
“Could I podium? Could I even complete (the races)? I’m trying to fight with myself.”