In a night filled with drama at the Stade de France during the Paris Olympic Games, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon experienced a whirlwind of emotions. She initially secured a silver medal in the 5,000 meters but soon had her joy crushed when she was disqualified for allegedly “obstructing” Ethiopian rival Gudaf Tsegay in the tense final. However, after a successful appeal by the Kenyan team, Kipyegon was reinstated, reclaiming her silver medal.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet shocked the field by overtaking Kipyegon in the final 50 meters, clinching Kenya’s first gold medal of the Games with a time of 14 minutes, 28.56 seconds. Chebet’s victory made headlines as she bested the multiple World and Olympic champion, a feat that stunned both fans and bookmakers alike.

Kipyegon was devastated when officials initially disqualified her for obstruction, with Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, who finished third, being upgraded to the silver medal. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti placed fourth. Kenyan Athletics officials, led by Team Manager Peter Angwenyi and coach Bernard Ouma, immediately filed a protest, fighting the decision to disqualify Kipyegon.

Overcome with emotion, Kipyegon broke down in the media mixed zone when news of her disqualification reached her. Adding to the emotional rollercoaster, Kenyan Mary Moraa, who had just claimed bronze in the 800 meters, also broke down upon hearing the news about Kipyegon.

Fortunately, shortly before midnight, it was announced that Kipyegon had been reinstated and awarded her silver medal, turning the tears of sorrow into tears of relief and joy.

Kipyegon, who is competing in both the 5,000 meters and her signature event, the 1,500 meters, is set to race again in the 1,500-meter qualifying round on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Chebet, who currently holds the 10,000-meter world record at 28 minutes, 54.14 seconds, remains in pursuit of a golden double with the 10,000-meter final scheduled for Friday night.

Sifan Hassan, content with her bronze medal, expressed her happiness that Kipyegon was reinstated, stating, “Faith deserves her silver medal. I don’t wish for medals I didn’t earn. I’m proud of my bronze, and all that matters is fairness.”