The Kenyan 5,000m trio of Jacob Krop, Ronald Kwemoi, and Edwin Kurgat face a monumental challenge tomorrow at Stade de France as they chase Kenya’s first Olympic gold in the event in 36 years.
Kenya's sole gold in this race came during the 1988 Seoul Games when John Ngugi clocked 13:11.70, outpacing Germany’s Dieter Baumann (13:15.52) and Hasjorg Kunze (13:15.73).
Since then, only Paul Bitok (silver in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996) and Eliud Kipchoge (silver in Beijing 2008) have come close.
Krop, a world bronze medallist, acknowledged the tough test that awaits them in their bid to claim the title.
"The field is tough, but anything can happen. The country hasn't won a Paris," said Krop, after his second-place finish in the Olympic trials a month ago.
Kenya's main competitor is Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the world 5000m record holder and 10,000m, who aims to defend his title.
Cheptegei clocked 12:58.15 at the Tokyo Olympics, securing the title ahead of Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed (12:58.61) and USA’s Paul Chelimo(12:59.05).
Cheptegei, 27, is seeking to become the third man to win back-to-back Olympic titles in this event, following in the footsteps of Finland’s Lasse Viren (Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976) and Britain’s Mo Farah (London 2012).
Cheptegei is a three-time world 10,000m champion as well as the 2018 Commonwealth champion in both 5,000m and 10,000m.
Another key contender is Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a two-time world champion and the current World record holder in the 1,500m and 2,000m.
He holds three European Championship titles (Berlin 2018, Munich 2022 and Rome 2024) as well as the 2017 European Junior Championship title.
The lineup also includes two-time world cross country champion Jacob Kiplimo who placed fifth in Tokyo and third in the 10,000m.
The Ethiopia charge will be led by 2016 Rio bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet who set the country's national record over the distance with a time of 12:36.73 at the Oslo Diamond League in May.
He will be joined by World U20 champion Addisu Yhune who will be making his senior debut.
Krop highlighted that teamwork both in training and at the Olympics will be key to Kenya’s success.
“By training together, we will formulate strategies that will ensure we make the finals. After that, we will team up for success in the final to ensure we bring home the medals,” he stated.
Krop's trophy cabinet includes a bronze medal from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, a silver medal from the 2019 African U20 Championships as well as a silver medal from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
Kwemoi is a 1,500m bronze medallist from the 2014 African Championships in Marrakech and a 1,500m silver medallist from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Kurgat, on the other hand, finished second at last year's Los Angeles Grand Prix as third in 3000m at the London Diamond League.
