Olympic Games: Three Kenyans storm into 1500m semis

By Peter Ochieng

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are finally on for Team Kenya!

Known for prowess in middle and long-distance races, three Kenyans set the ball rolling on Friday, by booking semifinal slots in the 1500m, men category.

Brian Komen was the first to qualify after finishing second in heat one. Making his Olympic Games debut, he reached the finish line in a time of 3:36:31.

In heat two, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games’ silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot finished 5th, narrowly making it to the semifinals in a time of 3:35:39.

And in the third heat, 19-year-old Reynold Cheruiyot got a taste of the Olympic atmosphere, finishing fourth in a time of 3:37:12.

“Welcome to the big boys club,” announced the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) after Reynold’s race.

Top 6 finishers from all heats qualified for the semifinals.

The three Kenyans will be seeking to make it to the final so as to win gold.

The last 1500m gold medal for Kenya came via Asbel Kiprop, during the 2008 Games in Beijing, China.

At 8.10pm East African time, Faith Kipyegon will launch her bid to win gold in two Olympic disciplines, when she takes to the track for the 5000m heats.

She remains a force to reckon with in the 1500m.

Beatrice Chebet, Kipyegon’s compatriot and perennial competitors, defending champion Sifa Hassan and Gudaf Tsegay – bronze medalist during the last Olympics in Japan, are also in the mix, making the heats, semis and the finally potentially competitive races of all time.

Kenyans will be seeking to upset the odds at 9.10pm by going toe-to-toe with Jamaica, USA and Poland powerhouses, in the 4x400m relays before World champion Mary Moraa, Lilian Odira and Vivian Chebet start their 800m gold quest.

To cap the day, all eyes will be on Daniel Mateiko, Nicholas Kipkorir and Benard Kibet as they rush for possible gold, silver and bronze podium sweep in the 10000m final at 11.20pm.

The late Naftali Temu was the last Kenyan to win gold in this discipline in 1968.