After two Olympic silvers (2016 10k, 2012 5k), Cheruiyot had her coveted gold.
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Rio de Janeiro, Aug 20: Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot set a new Olympic record, clinching gold in the women’s 5,000 metres race at the Rio Olympics.
Yet Ayana’s decision to adopt similar tactics in the 5000m ultimately backfired as she was unexpectedly reeled in by Cheruiyot and Hellen Onsando Obiri on the penultimate lap.
World 5,000m champion Ayana was hunting her second gold medal in Rio after she shattered the 10,000m world record last week but it was Cheruiyot who triumphed with a superb tactical run to win in a time of 14.26:17.
Cheruiyot timed her attack with less than two laps to go, suddenly closing a big gap Ayana had opened and speeding away for gold in 14 minutes 26.17 seconds, just over 14 seconds better than the previous Olympic mark.
Ayana made a stunning impact on the opening day of track and field action at the Olympic Stadium, shattering the 10,000m world record with a remarkable performance. “We chose to go for teamwork”, Obiri said.
Ayana held on for bronze in 14:33 as Cherono finished fourth.
Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand and Abbey D’Agostino of Team USA were both on the start list for this event.
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Both runners were granted a spot in Friday night’s final out of appreciation for the display of sportsmanship.
