In what could be argued as the most gruelling track race of the Olympic Games, the 10,000m, it was an epic battle in the men’s final, as the reigning Olympic champion, reigning world champion and current world record holder were all in the lineup at the Stade de France to battle for the coveted Olympic gold medal.
Taking the fastest 10,000m race in the history of the Olympic Games was Uganda’s world record holder, Joshua Cheptegei, in a time of 26:43.14.
The pool was incredibly fast, with the first 13 finishers all coming in under the previous Olympic record, that before Friday night had held true since 2008.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi took the silver medal just 0.3 seconds behind Cheptegei, with USA’s Grant Fisher taking the bronze medal, 0.02 behind silver.
Reigning Olympic champion Selemon Barega of Ethiopia took seventh place in 26:44.48.
- Athletics: Men’s 10,000m podium
Gold: Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
Silver: Berihu Aregawi, Ethiopia
Bronze: Grant Fisher, USA.
