Paris Olympics: Rising star Daniel Mateiko ready for maiden 10,000m Olympic challenge

The Team Kenya 10,000 meters men's contingent will be out to make history as the first Kenyan side to bag gold at the Olympic Games since Naftali Temu in 1968.

Born on August 4, 1998, rising star and Kenyan long-distance runner Daniel Mateiko will lead a group of three, including Nicholas Kipkorir and Benard Kibet, in a race primarily dominated by Ethiopians.

Mateiko aims to break barriers like top athletes and bring home gold in his first attempt at the Summer Games after missing out on the Tokyo 2020 event.

"I have a dream of breaking the barriers just like some of the top athletes I am training with. I also want to feel like a world-class athlete," Mateiko told Nation after landing the Paris ticket.

Early Life

Mateiko grew up in Mount Elgon, an area in Western Kenya on the border with Uganda.

Despite being born into a family of runners, Mateiko took up athletics in high school with the assistance of his sister Valentine Mateiko, who was already a world-class runner.

“She really insisted and forced me to run, and that’s how I discovered I could become an athlete,” he said, flashing a smile, clearly content to have followed his sister’s advice, which has set him on a path of success in life and athletics glory.

“I didn’t think I could run, but she insisted,” Mateiko told the Olympic Channel.

Mateiko took running seriously four years ago and carved his niche as a half marathoner and track athlete.

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Mateiko's Ascendancy

In 2019, Mateiko began competing on the track primarily at 5000m, finishing 5th at the Kenyan Championship in Nairobi. In 2020, the youngster won the Eldama Ravine Half Marathon.

His journey took him to the Ethiopian Trials in Hengelo in 2021, where he raced internationally for the first time and placed sixth in a personal best of 27:03.94 in the 10,000m.

He then went to the Kenyan Olympic trials and placed 5th in a race won by Geoffrey Kamworor, missing out on a place for the Tokyo games.

Mateiko then moved to the roads and contested two half marathons.

First, he placed 3rd at the Copenhagen Half Marathon in 59:25. Over a month later, on October 24, Mateiko placed 3rd at the Valencia Half Marathon in a personal best and top-10 all-time performer time of 58:26.

In 2022, he raced in the Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon, Istanbul Half Marathon, and the 5000m at the Kip Keino Classic, where he came second, clocking a new personal best of 13:13.45 behind winner Jacob Krop.

Road to Paris

Mateiko secured a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following his striking run that saw him win the men's 10,000m race at the Prefontaine Classic, Diamond League Meeting in Eugene.

"It was a dream come true, having failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. I now have the opportunity, and I thank God for it," said the 25-year-old, after claiming the automatic place for the Summer event.

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Competition at Paris

In Paris, he faces competition from neighboring countries Ethiopia and Uganda. Ugandan athletes Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will represent Uganda, while Yomif Kejelcha, Berihu Aregawi, and Selemon Barega will fly the Ethiopian flag.