Beatrice Chebet Wins 10,000m at Paris Olympics, Makes Historic Victory
Beatrice Chebet has made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win the 10,000m gold medal. This achievement followed her earlier victory in the 5,000m, securing an Olympic double that will be remembered for years to come.
Crossing the finish line in an impressive 30:43.25, the 24-year-old athlete claimed victory after a fiercely competitive final lap. Chebet surged ahead of Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, leaving no doubt about her dominance on the track.
Reflecting on her success, a jubilant Chebet shared, “I’m so happy. Winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m is no easy feat. But with focus and self-belief, I knew I could do it.”
Her win is not just a personal milestone but a monumental achievement for Kenya. “I wanted to win the 10,000m for my country. Kenya had never won a gold medal in the women’s 10,000m, and I wanted to be the first,” Chebet proudly added.
The race itself was marked by tactical maneuvers, with a slower pace leading up to the explosive final lap. Known for her powerful finishing kick, Chebet capitalized on the moment, executing a flawless final turn that left her competitors in the dust. Nadia Battocletti claimed the silver medal, while Sifan Hassan secured the bronze.
After the race, Chebet proudly declared, “I have made history in Kenya. No matter who comes after me, they’ll always remember that Beatrice was the first Kenyan woman to win a gold medal in the 10,000m.”
Chebet’s victory is particularly significant given Kenya’s history of near misses in the event. Previous silver medals won by Selly Kipyego at the 2012 London Olympics and Vivian Cheruiyot at the 2016 Rio Olympics were the closest Kenya had come to the top of the podium in the women’s 10,000m.
Additionally, Chebet’s triumph has challenged the longstanding dominance of Ethiopian runners in the 10,000m, adding extra significance to her dual gold medals as Kenya now leads Africa’s medal table with one day of competition remaining in Paris.
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