Paris Olympics: Kenya's wait for 5000m men's Olympic gold to continue as Kwemoi bags silver
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 10.08.24. | 21:23
Since Ngugi's victory, Kenyan runners such as Paul Bitok and Eliud Kipchoge have come close, each securing silver medals
Kenya's 36-year wait for an Olympic gold medal in the men's 5000m is set to continue after Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen turned on the after burners to win gold.
Ronald Kwemoi won silver in the race timing 13:15.04 to take Kenya's medal tally to eight.
The United States' Grant Fisher won bronze with a time of 13:15.13.
The trio of Jacob Krop, Ronald Kwemoi and Edwin Kurgat were aiming to claim Olympic gold in the 5000m for Kenya, a feat last achieved at the 1988 Seoul Games by John Ngugi.
Since Ngugi's victory, Kenyan runners such as Paul Bitok and Eliud Kipchoge have come close, each securing silver medals
After missing out on the 1500m medals following a battle with Great Britain's Josh Kerr, Ingebrigtsen outpaced the Ethiopian competition to take the 5000m title.
An incredible move on the final lap produced a devastating burst of speed, allowing Ingebrigtsen to overtake the Ethiopian trio of Biniam Mehary, Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Addisu Yihune.
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Kwemoi, with a season-best time of 13:02.56 heading into the race, stayed behind the middle pack for most of the race, while World bronze medalist Krop kept close to the lead group.
As a seasoned competitor with experience from the Rio 2016 Olympics, Kwemoi's invaluable knowledge of the track came in handy during the bell lap, the 200m curve, and the final 100m stretch.
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Kwemoi surged towards the 50m mark, beating Fisher to the tape and finishing two seconds behind Ingebrigtsen.
Another Kenyan, Kurgat, finished seventh with a time of 13:17.18, while Krop placed tenth, clocking 13:18.68.
