Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto won the men’s 3000m steeplechase, breaking the Olympic Record in the process. Kipruto finished the race ahead of fellow Kenyan Ezekiel Kemboi, who finished third and was tipped to win the finals, and American Evan Jager scooped the silver medal. The race was tight from the off, but Conseslus set a sustainable pace and as they covered the last 200 metres, the Kenyan was well ahead, maintaining a clear gap between him and the other athletes. Ezekiel Kemboi was following closely in second place, but the situation changed with 50 metres remaining, as American Evan Jager overtook him to finish in second place. Conseslus broke the Olympic record, at a time of 8:03.28, finishing the race a minute ahead of Evan Jager, while Ezekiel Kemboi clocked 8:08:47.
The 3000m steeplechase gold becomes the fourth gold medal won by Kenyans at the Rio Olympics after Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon won gold in the women’s 1500m final. She overcame Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, the world record holder, with a winning time of 4:08:92, while Dibaba finished seconds later, clocking 4:10:27. “I didn’t believe I could win but I thank God for helping me to win here in Rio. It’s my first Olympics and I’m so excited, “she said after the race.
In the 1500m women’s final, perseverance and tactical nous can be credited to Faith, who staged a great last lap to scoop first place ahead of Dibaba who had taken control of the race early on. The same can be said about the men’s 3000m steeplechase, where Conseslus Kipruto maintained his steady pace, till the homestretch, as he made sure he took advantage of his stamina and desire to win, as he even got time to wave at the crowd a few metres to the finish line.
