Cheptegei Shatters Olympic Record in Thrilling 10,000m Showdown at Paris 2024 as Kenya misses a medal.

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei delivered a stunning performance to win the men’s 10,000m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, smashing the Olympic record in the process. The world record holder cemented his dominance by clinching gold, leaving Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and the USA’s Grant Fisher to settle for silver and bronze, respectively.

Kenya, a traditional powerhouse in long-distance running, found itself shut out from the podium. The nation’s hopes rested on Nicholas Kipkorir, Daniel Mateiko, and Benard Kibet, but none could secure a top-three finish. Kibet came closest, crossing the line in fifth place with a personal best time of 26:43.98. His compatriots Kipkorir and Mateiko finished 11th and 14th, respectively, extending Kenya’s drought in the men’s 10,000m event at the Olympics.

The race was a fierce battle, with Ethiopia’s Aregawi leading the charge alongside compatriots Yomif Kejelcha and 2020 Olympic champion Selemon Barega. However, the Ethiopian trio lost steam in the final laps, allowing Cheptegei to seize control in the decisive moments. Aregawi finished just behind the Ugandan champion with a time of 26:43.44, while Fisher claimed bronze, narrowly missing silver by just two-hundredths of a second with a time of 26:43.46.

Cheptegei’s remarkable finish adds a second Olympic gold to his collection, reinforcing his status as a legend in the sport. As Kenya continues to grapple with its gold medal drought in the men’s 10,000m, the world is left marveling at Cheptegei's prowess on the track.