Kenya’s 4x400m Mixed Relay Team Out of Paris Olympics After 7th Place Finish in Round 1

 

Kenya's 4x400m relay team struggled in the first heat won by USA 

The Kenyan 4x400m mixed relay team have been eliminated from the 2024 Olympics after finishing seventh in the first heat. It was a frustrating display from the Kenyan team consisting of David Kapirante, Veronica Mutua, Boniface Mweresa, and Mercy Chebet. The USA won the race and set a world record of 3:07.41, while France were second, with Belgium rounding up the top three. Kenya's 4x400m relay team struggled in the first heat won by USA. Kenya struggled to keep up with the leaders in a fast heat. The bad start left them plenty of work to do in the subsequent legs as they finished in 3:13.13.The 4x400m mixed relay team was Kenya's only representative in the relays. Wiseman Were (400m hurdles) and Zablon Ekwam are Kenya's other representatives in the short races, per World Athletics. The USA were on top of their game in the first heat. They dominated the first heat and set a world record of 3:07.41, per Olympics. In the second heat, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Italy were the top three, respectively. The final is set for Saturday, August 3.

Faith Kipyegon reaches 5000m final TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Margaret Chelimo qualified for the women's 5000m final. Kipyegon won a stacked first heat ahead of longtime rival Sifan Hassan and the Ethiopian duo of Gudaf Tsegay and Ejgayehu Taye. Kipyegon is the world champion in the 5000m, while Hassan is the Olympic champion. Chebet is the world silver medalist and a serious contender for gold.  Samuel Gathimba eliminated TUKO.co.ke also reported that Samuel Gathimba was eliminated from the 2024 Olympic Games after finishing 22nd in the men's 20-kilometre race walk. Ecuador's Brian Daniel Puintado won the gold medal. Gathimba finished with a time of 1:21:26, and at 36, he probably participated in his last Olympic Games. 

by  Edwin Kiplagat