By Debra Rono
Abraham Kibiwot staged a remarkable comeback, securing a bronze medal in the 3000M steeplechase event.
The Commonwealth Games champion improved significantly from his 10th place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, clocking a time of 8:06.47 in the finals held in Paris.
Kibiwot finished third, trailing Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali, who claimed gold with a time of 8:06.05, successfully defending his title for Morocco since 1932. American Kenneth Rooks earned the silver medal with a time of 8:06.31.
Other Kenyan competitors included Simon Koech, who finished in seventh place with a time of 8:09.26, and Amos Serem, who placed fourteenth with a time of 8:19.74.
In a distressing turn of events, Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma was carried off the track on a stretcher after sustaining a serious injury during the race.
Girma, who was in a strong position to contend for victory, fell after injuring his knee and lay motionless on the ground. The 27-year-old athlete was transported from the track with neck support.
According to a statement from the Olympic organizers, Girma was conscious and responsive after receiving medical attention.
“Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams. Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery. Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition.” Read the statement.
Girma holds the current world record with a time of 7:52.11, achieved last year at the Meeting de Paris of the Diamond League.
Additionally, Kenya’s participation in the men’s 400M semi-finals saw Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Wiseman fall short of advancing to the finals, finishing with a time of 49.22 in a race won by the United States’ Rai Benjamin, who clocked 47.85.