Paris, August 2, 2024 — In a breathtaking display of endurance and tactical brilliance, Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda has cemented his place in Olympic history. On Friday night, Cheptegei stormed to victory in the men’s 10,000 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 26:43.14.
Cheptegei, who already boasted a stellar career including a gold medal in the 5,000 meters and a silver in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Games, has now achieved an extraordinary milestone. His win not only reaffirms his dominance in long-distance running but also makes him the most decorated Ugandan athlete in Olympic history. This triumph comes as a testament to his relentless dedication and unmatched skill.
The race unfolded with remarkable drama, especially in the final lap, where Cheptegei surged ahead to clinch victory. His time of 26:43.14 eclipses the previous Olympic record and underscores his exceptional performance. The intensity of the race was palpable, with the top seven finishers crossing the line within a single second of each other.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, who had narrowly missed out on medals in Tokyo and at last year’s World Championships, delivered a stellar performance to secure silver with a time of 26:43.44. His achievement marks his first global medal and is a significant milestone in his career.
In a thrilling finale, USA’s Grant Fisher took the bronze, crossing the finish line just 0.02 seconds behind Aregawi with a time of 26:43.46. Fisher’s podium finish was a testament to his relentless drive and perseverance throughout the race.
The men’s 10,000 meters final proved to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with runners like Mohammed Ahmed from Canada and Benard Kibet from Kenya also finishing under 26:44, highlighting the extraordinary depth and quality of the field.
Men’s 10,000m Final Top Results:
- Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) — 26:43.14 (Olympic Record)
- Berihu Aregawi (ETH) — 26:43.44
- Grant Fisher (USA) — 26:43.46 (Season Best)
- Mohammed Ahmed (CAN) — 26:43.79 (Season Best)
- Benard Kibet (KEN) — 26:43.98 (Personal Best)
- Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) — 26:44.02
- Selemon Barega (ETH) — 26:44.48
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) — 26:46.39 (Season Best)
- Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) — 26:49.49 (National Record)
- Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) — 26:50.64 (National Record)
As the dust settles on a historic night in Paris, Cheptegei’s victory stands as a beacon of excellence in athletics, illustrating the sheer brilliance of an athlete who continues to redefine long-distance running. With this win, Cheptegei has not only solidified his legacy but has also set an inspiring benchmark for future generations of runners.
