Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi secured the first gold medal for the country in the ongoing London Olympics after emerging the best in men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Olympic Stadium.
Kemboi, 30, clocked 8 minutes 18.56 seconds, with Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France taking silver while Abel Mutai settled for bronze.
Drama erupted when compatriot and defending champion Brimin Kipruto was tripped on the penultimate lap, with 700m remaining, forcing him to lag behind and finish fifth.
This made Kemboi who also won the Olympic title in 2004 sprint clear and drift all the way to lane 8 before crossing the line. He then swerved across the track with one arm raised in joy in the final metres and then danced his way to the crowd.
Kemboi who is facing assault charges at home extended Kenyan’s dominance in the race which Kenya has been winning gold since 1984.
Celebrating in his usual flamboyant version in front of a crowd of 80,000, Kemboi jumped and held the Frenchman (who won silver) tight in his arms, exchanging their country’s sporting clothing.
This brought the medal tally for Kenya to 5; 1 Gold Medal, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze.
The writer is a Communication and Journalism student at Moi University
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