Joshua Cheptegei, three times a world 10,000m champion in Olympic

2024.08.03

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, a three-time world 10,000m champion, won the Olympic 10,000m title on Friday (2) in the first athletics final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France.

The audience made so much commotion at the end of this continuously changing race that the bell could hardly be heard when Cheptegei, who had waited and waited while his three Ethiopian competitors attempted concertedly to drive him out of the race, crept inexorably into first place.

By the time the world record-holder crossed the finish line again, he had set an Olympic record of 26:43.14, with Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi, who produced one final surge after his consistent efforts at the front alongside compatriots Yomif Kejelcha and defending champion Selemon Barega, earning silver in 26:43.44.

@J Robinson