Daniel Mateiko qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics with spectacular 10,000m victory at Prefontaine Classic

Daniel Mateiko has secured a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following his remarkable performance, winning the men's 10,000m race at the Prefontaine Classic, Diamond League Meeting in Eugene.

The race began with Daniel Simiu in the lead, looking poised and ready for anything, with Samwel Masai and Stanley Waithaka running behind him. Passing the 1600m mark, Simiu remained in the lead, with Waithaka in second place and Bernard Kibet rising to third. Nicholas Kimeli was also running near the front.

Former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie was in the field, and as the athletes passed the 2000m mark, he was running in the middle of the pack alongside Edwin Kurgat and Mateiko.

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As the deep field of athletes passed the 5000m mark, Kimeli had taken charge, with Simiu close behind.

At the 6000m mark, Weldon Langat took the lead, with Valencia Half Marathon champion Kandie, Kimeli, and Ronald Kwemoi also running at the front.

Simiu reclaimed the lead after passing the 7600m mark, looking charged up and poised, leading the pack with Gideon Rono in second, followed closely by Kimeli and Mateiko.

However, Kandie took charge again after the 8400m mark, with Mateiko now in second. With the finish line in sight, the race became a battle of titans, with each athlete vying for a top-three finish.

Mateiko surged ahead, taking the top prize with a world-leading and personal best time of 26:50.81. Kimeli finished second with a personal best of 26:50.94, and Bernard Kibet rounded out the podium, clocking a lifetime best of 26:51.09.

Mateiko will now fly the Kenyan flag at the Paris Olympics alongside Kimeli who finished second in a new PB of 26:50.94 to directly qualify for the Olympics