World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and youngster Faith Cherotich will team up in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final after sealing their place on Sunday.
Faith Cherotich executed her strategy well to make it to the final of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Paris Olympics.
Cherotich finished second in 9:10.57 in the first heat behind Ugandan Peruth Jemutai, the Olympics champion, who clocked 9:10.51 for first place.
The world bronze medallist stayed close to the leading pack for most of the race and kept pace with Jemutai until the end.
Cherotich is competing at her first Olympics and after an impressive performance at the 2023 World Championships, there is hope of a medal in Paris.
There was no such luck in the second heat, however, as Jackline Chepkoech finished last to miss out on a place in the final.
Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Mutile Yavi won the race in 9:15.11 followed by Ethiopian Sembo Almayew (9:15.42) while American Valarie Constien clocked 9:16.33 for third place.
In the final heat, world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech ensured Kenya will have two representatives in the final when she dominated the race to win in 9:13.56.
The 2019 world champion took command of the race from the start and opened up a gap with her rivals which she did not relinquish until the end.
Chepkoech finished seventh at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games and is keen to right those wrongs in Paris.