Faith Kipyegon breathed a sigh of relief after the Jury of Appeal reinstated her Paris Olympics 5000m silver medal on Monday night, following an earlier heartbreak that saw the world 1500m record holder controversially disqualified for obstruction.
The decision meant Kenya clinched a 1-2 in the 12.5 lap race after world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet struck first gold medal when she hard-charged past Kipyegon to claim the top honours in her first time of asking at the Summer Games.
Chebet clinched the victory in 14:28.56 as her compatriot Kipyegon came in second in 14:29.60.
Kipyegon had been disqualified due to obstruction to Ethiopian world record holder Gudaf Tsegay but Kenyan officials quickly launched an appeal to salvage the country’s glory.
“I was in front and she tried to come in front and I told her (please) you will push me inside, come slowly I will excuse you and she kept pushing and she put me in an awkward situation. I did not push anyone,” said Kipyegon.
Immediate former champion Sifan Hassan who had benefited from Kipyegon’s predicament saw her medal downgraded to bronze as Italian Nadia Battocletti returned to her initial fourth place.
Kipyegon will launch her 1500m title defence on Tuesday 11:05 as she bids to win three successive titles in the distance.
“I will immediately shift focus to the 1500m because it’s coming up tomorrow (Tuesday) in the morning. I’m disappointed but I will now focus on my race tomorrow,” she added.
The new Olympic champion Chebet will be out to get a double over indefatigable Hassan, who is also the 10,000m reigning champion when the duo clash again in the 24-lap race on Friday.
