Paris Olympics: Chebet wins women 5000m gold as Kipyegon’s silver is reinstated

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the women’s Olympic 5,000 metres as she delivered a textbook performance to outkick compatriot Faith Kipyegon, whose silver medal was reinstated after she had been controversially disqualified.

Chebet won in 14 minutes 28.56 seconds as the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (14:30.61) claimed silver and Italian Nadia Battocletti took bronze (14:31.64).

Chebet produced a thrilling finish to win the first medal for her country at the Paris Olympics and smiled widely as she crossed the line after an exhausting performance.

World champion Kipyegon had finished second in 14:29.60 but was disqualified after a clash with Ethiopian world record holder Gudaf Tsegay on the penultimate lap.

And, almost two hours after the race had finished, Kipyegon was reinstated in silver medal position following an appeal by the Kenyan Team thereby moving Hassan down to third as a World Athletics jury ruled the incident did not warrant a disqualification.

However, Kipyegon has been issued with a disciplinary yellow card which she will carry for the rest of the Games.

Hassan, who is also competing in the 10,000m and marathon at these Olympics, accepted the outcome of the appeal.

“I am really happy that Faith gets her medal back,” the Dutch athlete said.

“I don’t really feel like I really deserved the silver. I don’t wish for medals I did not win.

“I love my bronze medal, it doesn’t matter to me what medal I get or position I finish as long as there is fairness”.

Kipyegon will now quickly need to refocus on her bid to win a third consecutive Olympic gold in the women’s 1500m.

The 30-year-old is scheduled to return to the track on Tuesday morning in the second of of three heats in round one.

“I wanted to run both races because I like it,” Kipyegon said.

“This is my first time doubling at the Olympics. I step on the track and just run my race, we will see what is possible.”

“Congratulations to Faith Kipyegon, her silver medal has been reinstated,” Athletics Kenya said on social media platform X.