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The Nairobian

Beatrice Chebet: See you at Paris Olympics

Athletics

By Stephen Rutto | Jul 22, 2024

**Kenya's Beatrice Chebet celebrates after winning women's 5000m final at the Doha Diamond League.** [AFP]

Beatrice Chebet’s wall cabinet is already decorated with medals from World and Cross Country championships. She also has a Diamond League trophy from 2022.

But the women’s 10,000m World Record-breaker feels her wall cabinet is incomplete without an Olympic medal.

And for that reason, Chebet is heading to the Paris Olympics with a mission of claiming an Olympic medal, the only precious award missing in her catalogue, so far.

The 24-year-old long distance track star is among the country’s Olympic debutants, who include World 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist, Faith Cherotich and Lilian Odira (800m), among others.

Chebet, the 2023 World 5,000m silver medallist will compete in two events; the 12.5-lap and 10,000m at the 2024 Paris Olympics that begin on Friday.

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So, if she bags a medal in each of the two events, her medal accrual will be even richer.

“So far, I have a medal from the World Championships and World Cross Country, but an Olympic medal is missing in my list of medals. I am hoping that everything will go well and my dream of winning a medal at the Olympics comes true,” Chebet said during her training sessions in Eldoret.

The two-time World Cross Country champion says she is in top form and that her training has been smooth.

As a team, Chebet said they were strictly following a training regime designed to help them deliver a brilliant performance. “I promise my country good performance and above all, the medals. I thank God because my preparations towards the Olympics have been good. I am also in a good form and we are praying for good health during the Olympic Games,” said Chebet.

The World Road Running 5km champion doubling at her Olympic debut has not come with pressure.

She said she is confident of teaming up with teammates to produce medals.

The women’s 5,000m will also feature 1500m record holder Faith Kipyegon and world silver medallist Margaret Chelimo, among other global stars.

In the 10,000m Olympic cat fight, Chebet will be in the company of compatriots, Chelimo and Janeth Chepngetich.

“I am not going to Paris with any pressure. I am going there as Beatrice and I will compete as Beatrice. I will appreciate the result that will come out of the competition,” Chebet added.

In May this year, Chebet stamped authority at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League which was used as Kenya’s Olympic trials for 10,000m, shattering the World Record in the 25-lap race in style.

She set the new mark at 28:54.14 after overpowering Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, a 5,000m Olympic bronze medallist in the 10,000m showdown, which became the Prefontaine Classic highpoint. Tsegay followed in second place.