Chebet, Wanyonyi to battle for honours at Rabat Diamond League

The stage is set for a scintillating battle for Diamond League glory in Rabat this evening.

Olympic gold medallists from the 2024 Paris Olympics—Beatrice Chebet and Emmanuel Wanyonyi are highlighting the event.

The duo and a host of other Kenyan stars are facing super-fast casts as they aim to fire warning shots in a World Championships year.

Chebet, a double gold medallist in Paris, is looking to extend a successful 2024 season as she competes in the women’s 3000m tonight.

Being the latest track assassin, Chebet told the event’s pre-race conference that she was ready for the Rabat showdown.

“I am ready anytime in any competition for a good result,” Chebet said ahead of today’s Diamond League contest.

She went on to say: “We have started a new season, and when the time and the opportunity come and the body keeps moving, I can try to set a world record.”

The 10,000m world record holder is taking to Rabat an unrivalled CV in long-distance racing.

It was in 2023 that Chebet etched her name in the books of athletics history when, on December 31, the final day of that year, she shattered the world record for the 5 km road race with a time of 13 minutes and 54 seconds.

When the 2024 season came, she broke yet another world record—this time in the 10,000 metres, clocking an astonishing 28 minutes and 54 seconds in Eugene.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Chebet achieved the unthinkable. At just 25 years old, she claimed gold in the 5,000 metres with a time of 14 minutes and 28 seconds. A few days later, she confirmed her supremacy by winning the 10,000 metres in 30 minutes and 43 seconds. With this historic double, she became only the third woman ever to win both events at the same Olympics—shortly after also capturing two Diamond League titles.

Chebet will have the company of Janeth Chepngetich as she faces global stars, among them Ethiopians Marta Alemayo, Mekedes Alemeshete and Asmerech Anley, as well as Australian Georgia Griffith.

As she lines up this evening, observers say she is the embodiment of brilliance, resilience, and grace on the track. Her 2024 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of athletics.

Olympic 800m gold medallist, Wanyonyi, is in Rabat for his fourth title even as he runs his maiden two-lap Diamond League race this season.

Last year, he made athletics history by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Aged just 20, he dominated the final with an exceptional time of 1:41.19, becoming the third fastest man ever over the distance, just behind legends David Rudisha and Wilson Kipketer.

Three successive victories in Rabat consolidated his place among the track running greats.

His meteoric rise, which began with a world Under-20 title in 2021, is a testament to his superb talent and determination to make history.

Yesterday, Wanyonyi said he was ready for a title defence in Rabat.

“Yes, I am ready for the race. I don’t want to talk too much but to run a good race,” said Wanyonyi.

He added: “Paris Olympics gold medal changed my life, but I need to stay focused because I need to run another Olympic Games.”

Wanyonyi will be competing alongside compatriots, two-time Commonwealth champion Wyclife Kinyamal and African gold medallist Aaron Cheminingwa, in a race that will feature, among others, two Moroccan stars, Abderrahman El Assal and Abdelati El Guesse.

"This is my first 800m Diamond League race this year. I need to run my race and to have fun," Wanyonyi said.

Kenyan stars are also featured in the women’s 1500m and the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

Nelly Chepchirchir and Martha Ewoi will be competing in the women’s 1500m while Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott takes on other big shots in the men’s steeplechase.