)
The double Olympic champion was hoping to shatter Gudaf Tsegay's 5000m world record but two things hindered her quest.
Beatrice Chebet went to the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich with one goal in mind, to attack Gudaf Tsegay’s world record in the women’s 5000m.
She ran a solo race with the hope of making her dream come true but could only manage to set a world-leading time and shatter the previous meet record as she clocked 14:09.52. She looked comfortable throughout the race but the weather did not favour her quest.
Tsegay’s world record stands at 14:00.21 and was set at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic which the Diamond League Meeting final of the season. In the race, Chebet came in second, clocking a personal best time of 14:05.92 to cross the finish line.
)
22:00 - 05.09.2024
Diamond League: Incredible Beatrice Chebet dominates 5000m race to set new world lead
The double Olympic gold medallist was a class apart from the rest as she crossed the finish line first and by a considerable margin to set a new World Lead.
In a post-race interview, the double Olympic champion explained that the weather was a major undoing during the race. She lamented that the pacemaker also dropped off earlier than it was supposed to be, hence the struggle in making an impact in the race.
Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X handle for more updates.
“I ran WL time, the weather is not favourable for a WR. It was good to run, I just want to thank God. I really wanted to run the WR, but I missed it, this is due to the weather. The pacemaker was supposed to pace until 3000m. But she dropped off earlier. I used a lot of energy to push. It was not easy,” Chebet said.
Going to the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels, Chebet noted that she will have to discuss with her coach about how to approach the race.
However, she expressed uncertainty about attacking the world record, noting that her legs were tired. She promised that something big will be coming next year if all goes well.
“I just want to say thank you to the audience and the fans. I am over the moon that I ran a WL time. I was not tired in the second half of the race. I got somebody’s spikes onto my leg at the beginning of the race, now it is bleeding. I will do Brussels, I will have to talk to my coach about another attempt for the WR. I guess I do not have the WR in my legs anymore for 2024,” she said.
Chebet has been impeccable this season, setting the 10,000m world record in just but her second race and proceeding to claim the Olympic title in the 10,000m as well. She also claimed the 5000m Olympic title.
)
20:30 - 05.09.2024
Jacob Krop masterminds impressive win in men’s 3000m at Zurich Diamond League
Jacob Krop won the men’s 3000m at the Zurich Diamond League finishing ahead of Cornelius Kemboi.
At the start of the season, the world 5000m bronze medallist was on fire as she set the 5km world record before defending her World Cross-country title in Belgrade, Serbia.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)