Ugandans were left with excitement when world champion Joshua Cheptegei won the elusive gold medal in the Men’s 10,000-metre at the ongoing Olympics in Paris, France on Friday night.
The 27-year-old didn’t only add the missing puzzle to his cabinet but also set a new Olympic Record.
The three-time World Champion raced for an electrifying 26:43.14.
Whose record did the Kapchorwa-born athlete break?
Before the emergence of the Ugandan long-distance runner, the Olympic Record in the 10,000m stood at 27:01.17.
It was set by Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele in 2008, over a decade ago, a record Cheptegei beat by 18 seconds.
Interestingly enough, all the 13 top finishers at the 2024 Olympic Games were able to record a better time than Bekele.
As Cheptegei came out victorious, Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi and American Grant Fisher took silver and bronze medals home after posting 26:43.44 and 26:43.46, respectively.
Fourth to 13th
4. Mohammed Ahmed – Canada: 26:43.79
5. Bernard Kibet – Kenya: 26:43.98
6. Yomif Kejelcha – Ethiopia: 26:44.02
7. Selemon Barega – Ethiopia: 26:44.48
8. Jacob Kiplimo – Uganda: 26:46.39
9. Thierry Ndikumwenayo – Spain: 26:49.49
10. Adrian Wildschutt – South Africa: 26:50.64
11. Daniel Mateiko – Kenya: 26:50.83
12. Nico Young – United States: 26:58.11
13. Jimmu Gressier – France: 26:58.67
