Beatrice Chebet on how breaking the 5km world record in December fueled her journey to double Olympics gold

Beatrice Chebet on how breaking the 5km world record in December fueled her journey to double Olympics gold

Mark Kinyanjui 12:49 - 15.08.2024

Chebet launched her 2024 season with a world record set in the five kilometer road run in Barcelona.

Beatrice Chebet has explained how breaking the five kilometer-road race at the end of 2023 in Barcelona fueled her journey to becoming a double Olympic gold medalist at the just-concluded Paris 2024 Games.

The 24-year-old Kenyan athlete made history by winning gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events, marking a significant milestone in her career and for Kenyan athletics.

Chebet's path to Olympic glory was paved with a series of remarkable achievements, starting with her record-breaking performance at the end of 2023 in Barcelona. 

There, she shattered the world record in the 5-kilometer road race by setting a 14:13 time, a feat that provided the momentum she needed to embark on her 2024 season with confidence.

Reflecting on her journey, Chebet shared how this record-breaking performance fueled her ambitions. 

"I opened my season with a five-kilometer road race record in Barcelona, which motivated me a lot as I prepared for the World Cross Country event in Serbia where I wanted to defend my title," she told the Kenyan media upon her return to Nairobi.

Chebet's success in Barcelona set the stage for a stellar year. She went on to successfully defend her World Cross Country title in Serbia in March, proving her dominance on the global stage. These accomplishments served as crucial building blocks that set her up for her historic performances in Paris.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Chebet began her campaign with a commanding win in the 5,000m first round, before claiming the gold medal in the women's 10,000m final. 

Her victory marked Kenya's second Olympic gold in the event, following Vivian Cheruiyot's triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Chebet's win also reclaimed the title from Sifan Hassan, who had taken it from Kenya at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Chebet didn't stop there. She continued her winning streak in the 10,000m, racing in just her third 25-lap race since debuting in the event in 2020. 

After breaking the world record in her second 10,000m race at the Prefontaine Classic earlier in the year, Chebet went on to claim the Olympic title in Paris. Her double victory made her the first Kenyan athlete to secure Olympic gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events.

Grateful for the support she received along the way, Chebet acknowledged the role her coach and family played in her success. 

"It was not easy, but it was a matter of believing in myself, being perseverant, and focused in everything I did. The support from my coach and family also encouraged me a lot," she said.

Follow Pulse Sports X account for more updates.