– He didn’t see me coming. I feel a little pain, but I just thought that I should continue the race, says Chebet to NRK.
The incident occurred when there were just over 1,100 meters left to run. The Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 meters had gotten away. In the curve where the men’s high jump was taking place, all of a sudden a photographer walked right into the track with his back to Chebet. There was a collision where the photographer dropped a camera on the running track.
Chebet was able to parry the blow and continued towards the finish where she won in 14.09.82, a neat track record at the Boudewijn Stadium by nine seconds. It was a couple of tenths above her own world annual best.
Afterwards, the 24-year-old Kenyan was able to sum up a perfect season.
– I just want to say that I am grateful for such a good season. It has been a fantastic year with double gold medals in Paris and now the Diamond League title. I will celebrate it with my family, Chebet tells the organizer.
Results 5,000 meters Diamond League Final, Brussels:
1) Beatrice Chebet, Kenya, 14.09.82
2) Medina Eisa, Ethiopia, 14.21.89 (U20 World Record)
3) Fotyen Tesfay, Ethiopia, 14.28.53