Vivian Cheruiyot has won her first ever Olympic Gold medal in women’s 5000 meter race at the ongoing Rio Olympics, setting a new Olympic record in the process by clocking 14:26.17. The medal had at first appeared ‘gone’ by Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana who seemed poised to replicate her 10000 meter race heroics, but Cheruiyot and her compatriots Hellen Obiri and Mercy Cherono gave chase. Ayana had started her trade mark lightening sprint with eight laps to go, eventually opening up a 25 meter gap between her and Kenya’s chasing pack. However, with just three laps to go, Cheruiyot took things in her hands and gave chase, eventually overtaking Ayana with a lap and a half to go with a stunning sprint to the finish line. Obiri took advantage of Ayana’s fast failing ‘gas power’ and also overtook the 10000 Olympic champion to win silver in 14:29 and lead a 1-2 Kenyan finish.

Source: The Star August 20, 2016 02:07 UTC