By Spy Uganda
Joshua Cheptegei added the Olympic 5000m title to his world record in a race which was just short of achieving a Games best time.
READ ALSO: Tokyo Olympics: Jubilations As Uganda’s Cheptegei, Kiplimo & Chelimo Qualify For 5000m Final
Cheptegei, who revealed he had been struggling with a heel injury heading into the Games, made sure he was near the front of the field right from the start.
But he will be thankful to his team-mate Jacob Kiplimo, who did much of the heavy lifting early on, setting a pace which always looked like it would dip below 13 minutes.
READ ALSO: Olympics: Athletics Record Breaker Cheptegei Eyes 10,000m Gold
It was easily the quickest 5000m Olympic final since Bekele’s victory in Beijing 13 years ago, and Cheptegei looked to ease to victory when he took full control on the final lap.
The victory makes the Ugandan, whose world record stands at 12:35.36, an Olympic and world champion, adding to his 10,000m win at Doha 2019.
Mohammed Ahmed of Canada finished second with 12:58.61, Paul Chelimo of the United States took bronze with 12:59.05.
