David GOMBE
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei will be aiming to finish his glittering career on track with Olympic gold over his favourite 10000m distance on Friday night (10:20PM) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Just like his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo, both showed dissatisfaction after they missed the 10000m gold at the Tokyo games three years ago.
Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega stunned the iconic duo to storm to Olympic gold in Tokyo with Cheptegei and Kiplimo finishing second and third respectively.
Cheptegei who will be aiming to finish his track career in Paris with a 10000m Olympic title, having won three world titles over the distance (2019, 2022 and 2023).
Besides his 10000m silver, Cheptegei also smiled to 5000m Olympic gold in Tokyo.
The World record holder is however yet to run a 10000m race this year as he has been selective with his competitions.
In fact, Cheptegei will be competing for the first time since 30th May when he finished ninth in the 5000m at the Bislett Games.
While qualifying for the 10000m, Cheptegei did clock 26:53 on the roads on 16th March in Spain. He is yet to race a 10000m on the track this season.
Cheptegei is accustomed to winning, the Ugandan icon has won eight global titles in the long-distance area since claiming 10000m gold at the 2014 Youth World Championship in Oregon, USA.
His compatriot Kiplimo also sets sight on the 10000m Olympic gold having successfully defended the World Athletics Cross Country championship in Belgrade, Serbia this year in April.
At the Tokyo Olympic games three years ago, Kiplimo finished third behind Ethiopia’s Barega and his compatriot Cheptegei over the 10000m race to scoop bronze.
He is the reigning double Commonwealth Champion over the 10000m and 5000m.
Kiplimo also won bronze over the 10000m distance at the Oregon games two years ago.
Martin Magengo Kiprotich is the other Ugandan and will be making his Olympic debut at the 25-lap race on Friday.
Cheptegei and Kiplimo are featuring at a third Olympics in a row, a stretch from the Rio 2016 Games in Brazil
Ethiopia’s Barege will return to defend his Olympic gold medals from Tokyo and remains a contender for gold.
His compatriot Yomif Kejelcha with the world’s season-leading time of 26:31.01 and Berihu Aregawi are the other contenders for the title.
Ironically during the Ethiopian trials in June this year, Olympic champion Barege finished third behind Kejelcha and Aregawi.
Kejelcha who clinched gold at the 2016 World Indoor championships and earned silver at the 2019 world championships will also be aiming to add an Olympic medal to his collection.
With Kejelcha leading the way, Cheptegei has a superior speed than the Ethiopian with his personal beat 20 seconds faster.
For Kenya, Daniel Mateiko and world road 5Km bronze medallist Nicholas Kipkorir are also expected to put up a charge.
Mateiko comes into the event after smashing his 10000m Personal Best to clinch Kenya’s trial race in a time of 26:50.81 in Eugene this year in May.
Kipkorir finished fourth over 5000m at the Tokyo Olympics and was close second to his compatriot Mateiko in Eugene during Kenya’s trials.
Uganda has managed 11 medals in Olympic games history, seven of these including all the four golds coming in athletics.
