Faith Kipyegon is the reigning world champion at 5,000 meters, and had hoped to take her first Olympic gold at the distance, after two previous golds at 1,500 meters.
That was not the case. She finished second, behind compatriot Beatrice Chebet – and celebrated the silver medal with the Kenyan flag.
Olympics in Paris 2024
But a moment later she received a nightmare message: She had been disqualified, due to a duel with the Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, which meant that the silver instead went to the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan – and the bronze to Nadia Battocletti, Italy.
But the Kenyans lodged a protest – which went through.
The Kenyan Athletics Federation signs on X that the protest was successful, and Kipyegon got his silver place back.
“Cheers Kenya”, they write.