Mozzart Sport writers' surprise performance of Paris 2024 Olympics
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 15.08.24. | 18:02
In this particular article, our writers pick their surprise Kenyan performance of the Games that served mixed submissions
With the dust having settled on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Mozzart Sport writers embark on a series of articles to review the 33rd edition of the Games.
In this particular article, our writers pick their surprise Kenyan performance of the Games that served mixed submissions.
KEVIN TEYA
The biggest surprise performance in Paris for me came in the 5000m final.
This race featured record holder Gudaf Tsegay and former record holder Faith Kipyegon, setting the stage for what was expected to be a fierce contest between the two.
However, it was the 24-year-old Beatrice Chebet who stunned everyone by emerging victorious. Even more surprising was how she clinched the win with a powerful kick in the final 200m, leaving even Kipyegon unable to catch her.
Chebet was not the favourite going into the race, but she defied expectations and outpaced the pre-race favourites to secure Kenya’s first gold at the Paris 2024 Games.
SAMMY GITAHI
Not even the purest of hardcore athletics followers expected Beatrice Chebet to come out on top of Faith Kipyegon in a sprint-like finish to the women’s 5000m final.
But as it was, Chebet, who I had rightly referred to her as a ‘sneaky favourite’ in one of the previews, kept her cool in a heated race, and only turned on her afterburners at the end, beating the owner of afterburners, and former world record holder of the event.
Not a bad way for an Olympic rookie to claim her country's first Summer Games gold medal in Paris.
MESHACK KISENGE
Ronald Kwemoi had kept a low profile for some time until he resurfaced in June or thereabout.
He failed to secure a place in the 10000m following his 10th-place finish during the Prefontaine Classic in the United States of America.
Kwemoi did not give up, as he won the 5000m during the trials held at the Nyayo National Stadium, securing a return ticket to the Summer Games.
The U20 1500m record holder debuted in the Games in Rio 2016, finishing 13th in the three-and-a-quarter laps race.
Seeing Kwemoi overcome the recurring injuries, the transition from 1500m to 5000m, and ultimately to the podium in Paris, was not only satisfying but proved many wrong.
BRIAN ODHIAMBO
Imagine waiting 14 years for a chance to represent your country at an international level, only to exit in seconds.
Yes, that was the story of Kenyan judoka Zeddy Cherotich, who was eliminated from the Paris 2024 Olympics within 20 seconds after a disappointing loss to her Portuguese opponent, Patricia Sampao, in the round of 32.
I get it—Zeddy was up against someone ranked 13th in the world, while she was ranked 74th. But as the first Kenyan judoka woman to represent your country, and after waiting so long for this opportunity, why not put in some effort to at least last a minute?
It was both shocking and surprising. Here in the hood, we say she lost the game before it started, and even the spectators had not finished paying for their beers.
I may sound overambitious, but seeing Cherotich exit so early was surprising. I expect more from the Kericho native going forward.
Still, congratulations are in order for becoming the first Kenyan judoka woman to represent the country at the Olympics and the fifth person overall after John Bogie, Nelson Ombito, James Kihara, and Tiberius Nyachwaya to step onto that stage.
IMRAN OTIENO
Just at the tender age of 20 Faith Cherotich dubbed 'Small' Faith or 'Kadogo', managed to upset the cards to claim a well-deserved bronze medal in the women's 3000m steeplechase.
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Not even the World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoech had enough in her to claim a medal for Kenya which shows just how gruelling the race was.
The race was claimed by Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi with former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai settling for silver.
LYNETTE MATHEKA
No one could predict Eliud Kipchoge registering his first-ever DNF on the Olympics stage, a race in which he was looking to become the first-ever marathoner to win three gold medals in a row.
The hills of Paris had other ideas and when he first showed signs of struggle, many, including the commentators suspected a comeback that was never to be.
With the hilly course, it was expected that the former world record holder would struggle as he is not known to race hilly course but an exit was unprecedented.
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