The women’s 5,000m final ended dramatically, with Faith Kipyegon, who initially finished second, disqualified for an altercation with Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. This decision was later reversed, reinstating Kipyegon’s silver medal after an appeal.
The race featured a contentious mid-race incident where Kipyegon and Tsegay clashed at the front. Video evidence showed Kipyegon appearing to grab Tsegay’s arm, to which Tsegay responded by pushing her away. Initially, officials disqualified Kipyegon, a renowned athlete with gold medals in the 1500m from Rio and Tokyo, and a 5000m gold from the World Championships in Budapest last year. However, following a successful appeal, her second-place finish was restored.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet showcased exceptional strategic running to secure the gold medal, disrupting defending champion Sifan Hassan’s ambition for a long-distance treble. Known as “the smiling assassin,” Chebet patiently waited before sprinting past her compatriot Kipyegon in the final stretch, winning in 14:28.56 at the Stade de France.
Dutch athlete Hassan finished third with a time of 14:30.61, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who initially held the bronze position, finished fourth with a time of 14:31.64. Hassan, 31, had hoped to become the first woman to win the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at the same Olympics, a historic achievement first made by Emile Zatopek at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Despite her typical strategy of staying at the back for much of the race, Hassan was unable to keep pace with Chebet and Kipyegon in the final laps.
Kipyegon momentarily led Chebet in the final stretch, but Chebet found another gear, overtaking her to claim victory. This triumph adds to a stellar season for the 24-year-old Chebet, who set a world record in the 10,000m in Eugene, Oregon, in May. Chebet now sets her sights on the Olympic 10,000m crown, aiming to dethrone Hassan in the upcoming race on Friday.
