Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda on Friday won the title he had been longing for, claiming gold in the men’s 10,000m race at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games.
He did so in impressive fashion, timing his attack to perfection and striking from 600 meters out before going on to charge through the line in 26:43.14, breaking the Olympic record set 16 years ago by Kenenisa Bekele.
It was a thrilling race in the Stade de France, one which the Ethiopian trio of Berihu Aregawi, Yomif Kejelcha and Selemon Barega, the defending champion, tried their best to dictate.
Cheptegei, his motivation clear with every stride, hit the front with less than 600 metres to go and started to wind up the pace.
Aregawi, Ahmed, Fisher, Kejelcha and Kiplimo all tried their best to cover his move.
The Ugandan was away and clear with America’s Fisher a few strides behind. Aregawi came sprinting down the home straight and caught Fisher in the closing stages to claim silver.
There was no catching Cheptegei, though, as he crossed the line in an Olympic record of 26:43.14.
