Paris Games: Will trio end Kenya's 56-year wait for first 10000m gold tonight?
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 02.08.24. | 08:28
Coach Sang is worried about the threat posed by Ethiopian and Ugandan athletes who will line up for the 10000m race set to gun off at 9:20 pm East African time
The hunt for the first medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics begins tonight when the Kenyan trio of Daniel Mateiko, Nicholas Kimeli, and Bernard Kibet line up in the 10000m final at the Stade de France.
The three will not only seek to deliver the first medal but also hope to end Kenya’s 56-year-long wait for the first gold in the race.
The late Naftali Temu was the last Kenyan to mine gold in the race when he cruised to victory during the Mexico 1968 Games.
The trio secured the tickets to Paris after taking up the three top slots at the Prefontaine Classic held in the United States of America in June.
Ahead of the race set to gun off, coach Alex Sang says the times the three posted in the qualifying race and in other events held in the season, point out their ability to deliver medals.
“Every competition has a winner. We have prepared them adequately. They are all good in their own right, if you consider the times they have clocked this season and at the national trials during the Prefontaine Classic (in Oregon, United States.),” said the trainer.
Sang is however worried about the threat posed by Ethiopian and Ugandan athletes who will line up for the race set to gun off at 10:20 pm East African time.
Defending champion Selemon Barega of Ethiopia and record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda are some of the big guns who are considered pre-race favourites.
Cheptegi settled for silver during the Tokyo Games and will look to go a step higher on the podium.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha who holds the leading time in the season and who will be debuting at the Games and his compatriot Berihu Aregawi are other athletes to watch out for in the race.
“We have high hopes in them even though we have our perennial rivals, Uganda and Ethiopia. I know they will pose a great challenge but we trust the trio to deliver,” he added.
This will not be the sole track event with Kenyan male athletes as Round 1 of the 1500m race will be held at 11:05 am East African time.
-min.jpg)
Former world champions Timothy Cheruiyot, world U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, and African champion Brian Komen will all be in action.
Komen, who qualified late to the Games, will be the first on track in Heat 1 at 11.05 am (Kenyan time) with Timothy and Reynold in Heat 2.
Kenya last won gold in the three-quarter laps long race in 2008.
