Paris – Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei triumphed in the 10,000 meters, the first track title of the Paris Olympics, on Friday. Cheptegei delivered a stellar performance, clocking 26 minutes 43.14 seconds, breaking Kenenisa Bekele’s 16-year-old Olympic record. This victory redeemed his runner-up finish in Tokyo three years ago.
Cheptegei, 27, had his sights set on Olympic glory since watching Bekele win in Beijing 2008. “When I was watching the great Kenenisa Bekele win in Beijing, it was something that grew in my heart,” Cheptegei said. “I said, one day, one time, I want to be Olympic champion. Today is the most special day.”
The United States also made headlines by shattering the 4x400m mixed relay world record during the heats. The American team posted a time of 3 minutes 07.41 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 3:08.80 set at the World Championships in Budapest last year. Lead-off runner Vernon Norwood described the performance as the perfect start for Team USA. “We set the tone for the rest of the United States with that world record,” said Norwood.
Sha’Carri Richardson aims to build on this momentum as she seeks to add the Olympic 100m title to her world championship crown. The 24-year-old, aiming to become the first American woman since Gail Devers in 1996 to win Olympic 100m gold, breezed through her heat on Friday.
The United States’ stunning performance served as a wake-up call for Dutch star Femke Bol, who is pursuing a treble at the Games. The 24-year-old, also competing in the 400m hurdles and the women’s 4x400m relay, skipped the heats, but her teammates advanced comfortably to the final. Bol, along with fellow Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, aims for triple gold.
Hassan began her 5,000m campaign smoothly, finishing just behind Kenyan legend Faith Kipyegon. Kipyegon, known as the ‘smiling destroyer,’ twice defeated Hassan in Budapest last year. Despite this, Hassan remains determined, aiming for an unprecedented treble in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at a single Olympics, a feat only achieved by Czech great Emil Zatopek in 1952.
“I haven’t finished all three events yet,” Hassan remarked. “I just did the heat, and we’ll see if it’s possible after I complete the marathon. But I think it’s possible. I have four races – one has already finished, three left. But I’m very nervous for the marathon,” added Hassan, who won the London Marathon in her debut last year.
Meanwhile, Ryan Crouser is aiming for a historic triple in the shot put, seeking his third Olympic title. The 31-year-old American advanced to today’s final with a throw of 21.49 meters.
Ukraine, facing a decimated sports infrastructure due to the 2022 Russian invasion, is targeting three medals. High jump world record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Ukraine’s best hope for gold, qualified comfortably for tomorrow’s final. Despite the ongoing conflict in her hometown of Dnipro, Mahuchikh remains focused. “It’s my chance to show all people that we will continue fighting and the war in Ukraine is not stopping,” she stated.
The decathlon promises a thrilling conclusion with Germany’s Leo Neugebauer leading overnight by just 42 points ahead of Ayden Owens-Delerme of Puerto Rico.
