Vivian Cheruiyot now focuses on 5000m

By Omulo Okoth

Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot admitted that the final kick by Ethiopia’s new Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba completely took them by surprise and that they had no more fuel to chase her as she charged to victory here in Friday night’s 10,000m metres final.

“I was tired on the sound of the bell and I could not chase her. It has happened, I am happy, I am not complaining, but now I am focusing to the 5,000m,” said Cheruiyot, who was highly tipped to win the race.

“To win a bronze in the Olympics is not easy, more so with a new personal best time,” said the double world champion.

Kipyego, who took the silver medal behind Dibaba and ahead of Cheruiyot, admitted: “I would be lying to say I had any more energy to chase her. At that point, I was absolutely exhausted and was just hanging on to even get a bronze.”

Cheruiyot knew Dibaba has a better kick than Meseret Defar and knew it was going to be hard to catch up. Kipyego, on the other hand, said chasing the Ethiopian, who showed imperious form, would have been suicidal.

“I am so happy to my family, coaches, and God for giving me this opportunity to run at the Olympics and win a medal. I am honoured and humbled by this achievement. My plan was to run as smooth as possible and be in rhythm and run efficiently,” she said.

“It is a huge relief to get a medal here because it gives me the impetus to go for 5,000m,” she said.

Dibaba timed 30:20.75 while Kipyego was second in 30:26.37 and Cheruiyot 30:30.44.

The third Kenyan in the race, Joyce Chepkurui dropped out in the 17th lap and was helped out of the pitch by stewards.