Can newly-crowned world record holder Beatrice Chebet will take Kenya's first Olympic title in 10,000 metres? It's one of the toughest questions of these Games to predict. Sifan Hassan, the only female distance-double achiever at the Olympics, will be back on track for defence. Plus, Ethiopia's world champion, Gudaf Tsegay, will join the party to prove Ethiopian superiority at the distance. Tsegay was crowned the world title last year after Hassan's painful fall on the ground with just a few meters to go. Josh Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will take on Ethiopian rivals in 10,000 metres on the men's side. Kenyans are struggling in 10K recently - still searching for their first gold at the event since 1968 - and looking for a challenge against East African rivals.
THE DEFENDERS
5000m M: Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
5000m W: Sifan Hassan, Netherlands
10,000m M: Selemon Barega, Ethiopia
10,000m W: Sifan Hassan, Netherlands
SEASON LEADERS - SINCE LAST GAMES
5000m Men
2022 Jacob Krop (KEN) 12:45.71
2023 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) 12:40.45
2024 Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 12:36.73
5000m Women
2022 Ejegayehu Taye (ETH) 14:12.98
2023 Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) 14:00.21
2024 Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH) 14:18.76
10,000m Men
2022 Grant Fisher (USA) 26:33.66
2023 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) 26:50.66
2024 Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 26:31.01
10,000m Women
2022 Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) 30:09.94
2023 Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) 29:29.73
2024 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 28:54.14
THE RECORDS
5000 Men
WR: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 12:35.36 – 2020
OR: Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 12:49.60 – 2008
Euro: Mohamed Katir (ESP) 12:45.01 - 2023
Africa: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 12:35.36 – 2020
Asia: Albert Rop (BRN) - 12:51.96 - 2013
NACAC: Grant Fisher (USA) 12:46.96 – 2022
Oceania: Craig Mottram (AUS) 12:55.76 - 2004
South America: Federico Bruno (ARG) 13:11.57 - 2023
5000 Women
WR: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) 14:00.21 – 2023
OR: Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 14:26.17 – 2016
Euro: Sifan Hassan (NED) 14:13.42 - 2023
Africa: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) 14:00.21 – 2023
Asia: Jiang Bo (CHN) 14:28.09 - 1997
NACAC: Alicia Monson (USA) 14:19.45 – 2023
Oceania: Kimberly Smith (NZL) 14:39.89i - 2009
South America: Joselin Brea (VEN) 14:36.59 - 2024
10,000m Men
WR: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 26:11.00 – 2020
OR: Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 27:01.17 – 2008
Euro: Mo Farah (GBR) 26:46.57 - 2011
Africa: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 26:11.00 – 2020
Asia: Ahmed Hassan Abdullah (BRN) 26:38.76 - 2003
NACAC: Grant Fisher (USA) 26:33.84 – 2022
Oceania: Jack Rayner (AUS) 27:09.57 - 2024
South America: Marilson dos Santos (BRA) 27:28.12 - 2007
10,000m Women
WR: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 28:54.14 – 2024
OR: Almaz Ayana (ETH) 29:17.45 – 2016
Euro: Sifan Hassan (NED) 29:06.82 - 2021
Africa: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 28:54.14 – 2024
Asia: Wang Junxia (CHN) 29:31.78 - 1993
NACAC: Alicia Monson (USA) 30:03.82 – 2023
Oceania: Kimberly Smith (NZL) 30:35.54 - 2008
South America: Florencia Borelli (ARG) 31:33.07 - 2024
THE RACE
OLYMPIC DOUBLES (5000-10,000m)
2020 W - Sifan Hassan (NED)
2016 M - Mo Farah (GBR)
2012 M - Mo Farah (GBR)
2008 M - Kenenisa Bekele (ETH)
1980 M - Miruts Yifter (ETH)
1976 M - Lasse Viren (FIN)
1972 M - Lasse Viren (FIN)
1956 M - Vladimir Kuts (URS)
1952 M - Emil Zatopek (TCH)
1912 M - Hannes Kolehmainen (FIN)
TITLE DEFENCES
5000m Men
Mo Farah, 2012-16
Lasse Viren, 1972-76
10,000m Men
Mo Farah, 2012-16
Kenenise Bekele, 2004-08
Haile Gebrselassie, 1996-00
Lasse Viren, 1972-76
Emil Zatopek, 1948-52
5000m Women
None.
10,000m Women
Tirunesh Dibaba, 2008-12
CLOSEST FINISHES
5000m M: 1992 Baumann-Bitok 0.19 secs
5000m W: 2008 Defar-Cheruiyot 0.48 secs
10,000m M: 2000 Gebrselassie-Tergat 0.09 secs
10,000m W: 2004 Huina-E.Dibaba 0.62 secs
BIGGEST GAP AT THE FINISH
5000m M: 2008 Bekele-Kipchoge 4.98 secs
5000m W: 1996 Wang-Koga 3.61 secs
10,000m M: 1948 Zatopek-Mimoun 47.8 secs
10,000m W: 2008 T.Dibaba-Flanagan 27.66 secs
NOTES
> Distance power Kenya has only one 10,000 metres Olympic gold in history: It was Naftali Temu's victory in 1968.
> The last Olympic 10,000 metres champion who born outside of African continent in both sexes is Xing Huina of China - winner of Athens 2004.
> Finland is most winningest country in men's 10K with seven crowns but last one back in Montreal 1976. (Ethiopia on the verge of level the title numbers here.)
> Men's 5000m final went under 13 minutes in the final in just couple of times.
> Sifan Hassan will try to become first women 5000m title defence at the Olympics history.
