Peruth Chemutai became the first Ugandan woman ever to win an Olympic medal as she claimed gold in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase yesterday.
The 22-year-old Ugandan set a new national record as she chased down the USA’s Courtney Frerichs, who won silver at the 2017 World Championships, on the final lap and pulled away to win by 20 metres.
Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng had to settle for the bronze medal to go with the silver she won in the same event at the Rio Games in 2016.
Ethiopia’s Mekides Abebe was fourth with Kenya’s world champion Beatrice Chepkoech only able to finish seventh, after struggling with a hamstring injury. A second Ethiopian Zerfe Wondimagegn was eighth.
Kenya claimed gold and silver in the men’s 800m as Emmanuel Korir finished ahead of world championship bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich in the final.
Korir moved into the lead with 200m left to run while Rotich who looked to be struggling found the speed on the home straight to claim his medal.
Poland’s Patryk Dobek was edged into the bronze medal by Rotich with former Sudanese refugee Peter Bol in fourth place running for Australia.
Botswana’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos, who was reinstated after falling in his semi-final, finished in eighth out of the nine finalists.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon continued the defence of her Olympic women’s 1500m title by winning her semi-final ahead of Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu as both athletes advanced to Friday’s final.
Unfortunately Kenya’s Winny Chebet fell in the same race and finished in last place, an appeal to have her reinstated later failed and she will not be in the final.
In the second semi-final Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo was fourth to clinch an automatic place in the final but Ethiopia’s Lemlem Hailu and Kenya’s Edina Jebitok failed to progress as they finished down the field.
Benin’s Odile Ahouanwanou is in fifth place after the first day of the women’s heptathlon, which saw the athletes compete in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m with the long jump, javelin and finally the 800m to come early today.
Africa’s other representative in the event was Burkina Faso’s Marthe Koala and she did not take part in the final event of the day the 200m and so will not compete in Thursday’s final three events.
