Beatrice Chebet is twice a world medallist over 5000m, the 10,000m world record-holder, a double world cross-country champion, and world champion over 5km on the roads, but until a few days ago she had never competed at an Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old Kenyan can now add ‘Olympic champion’ to her impressive list of honours after winning the 5000m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Monday (5), earning her first senior global track title.

Under the illuminating floodlights of Stade de France, the clear blue Parisian skies, and a crowd bursting with electric energy, Chebet outsprinted world 5000m champion and pre-race favourite Faith Kipyegon to win in 14:28.56.

Along with eventual winner Chebet and double world champion Kipyegon, the deeply talented 5000m field included defending Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Ethiopia’s world record-holder Gudaf Tsegay and European champion Nadia Battocletti of Italy.

None of the three current world record-holders in the field had fast times on their minds today, and the start was a conservative one as Kipyegon hit the front with teammates Chebet and Margaret Chelimo right behind.

The lead changed at 1000m when Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal took the lead, followed by Battocletti as Chelimo, Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi, Kipyegon, Tsegay and Chebet trailed them. As she often does in the early stages of a race, Hassan positioned herself right at the back, waiting to pounce when needed.

At 3000m, Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye took command, closely followed by teammate Tsegay with the Kenyan trio moving steadily with them. Hassan then moved up, while Kipyegon took the lead with Chebet and Tsegay right on her heels.

Kipyegon increased the pace, to which the rest of the pack – now containing about eight athletes – responded. Tsegay then tried to take command, which resulted in a brief collision with Kipyegon, but the field soon settled again. One lap later, Tsegay’s challenge started to fade as Kipyegon started her final-lap kick.

Kipyegon’s turn of pace manage to dispose of everyone, apart from Chebet, who kept up with the surge. Hassan, meanwhile, moved into third.

Chebet – nicknamed ‘the smiling assassin’ – chased down Kipyegon on the home straight, overtaking her esteemed compatriot with about 80 metres remaining. Chebet’s burst of speed was too much for Kipyegon, who relinquished the lead and held on for silver.

Chebet crossed the line in 14:26.17 to secure gold, while Kipyegon was second in a time of 14:29.60. She was later disqualified on the grounds of an obstruction, but was later reinstated. Hassan took bronze in 14:30.61 ahead of European champion Battocletti, who set an Italian record of 14:31.64 for fourth. Tsegay finished a distant ninth.

Chebet, who earlier this year became the first woman to break 29 minutes for 10,000m with her world record of 28:54.14, will now turn her focus to the longer event in her quest for double Olympic glory.

Hassan and Tsegay will also contest the 10,000m. Hassan will then go on to compete in the marathon, while Tsegay and Kipyegon will go for medals again in the 1500m.