Phenomenal Chebet smashes 10,000m World record to make olympic debut

Two-time World Cross Country Champion Beatrice Chebet qualified for her maiden Olympic games in style by smashing the 10,000-meter world record in a new time of 28:54.14 at the      Prefontaine Classic Diamond League in the USA on Saturday night.

Chebet, who has been in her class of her own since last year, beat a star-studded field to cross the finish line first, becoming the first ever woman to complete the 24-lap race in less than 29 minutes, breaking 2021 Letesetbet Gidey’s record, which stood at 29:01.3.

Last year’s world champion over the distance, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, finished 2nd in a personal best time of  29:05.92, followed by Kenyan duo Lillian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo, who both punched their tickets for the 31st Olympic Games in Paris, France.

2023 World silver medalist in 10,000m Daniel Ebenyo Simiu failed to make the cut, finishing a distance of 13th after falling down, and will be hopeful that Athletics Kenya will hand him a wild card as he is the best ranked over the distance owing to his spectacular performance.

This year’s RAS Al Khaimah half-marathon champion Daniel Mateiko won the men’s race in a world-leading time of 26:50.81.

Nicholas Kipkorir booked his ticket for the Olympic Games and will be aiming to upgrade his 4th finish in 5000m at the 2020 Tokyo Games after finishing 2nd , while Bernard Kibet grabbed the last slot in 3rd position.

Athletics Kenya had sent a team of 29 athletes—15 women and 14 men—to the Pre-Fontaine Classic meet in order to seek Olympic qualification.