This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
On Saturday, August 28, 2021, Kenyan athletes made a statement at the Wanda Diamond League in Paris, France, with a historic 1-2-3 podium sweep in the 3,000m steeplechase race.
Benjamin Kigen, an Olympics bronze medallist, led the charge, clocking a world lead time of 8:07.12. He was followed closely by Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott, who finished in 8:09.35, and Leonard Bett, who secured third place with a season's best time of 8:10.21.
The Kenyan trio's impressive performance was marred by the early exit of Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali from Morocco, who fell in the first lap, and world champion Conseslus Kipruto, who pulled out of the race after five laps due to an injury.
Despite the challenges, Kigen's determination paid off as he zoomed past Kibiwott in the last lap to take the lead and secure the top spot on the podium.
Kenyan athletes also excelled in the 800m race, with Wycliffe Kinyamal emerging victorious in 1:43.94, followed by Ferguson Rotich in 1:44.45, and Arop Marco from Canada in 1:44.74.
However, in the 3,000m race, Kenya's Margaret Chelimo finished third with a personal best time of 8:21.53, behind Burundi's Niyonsaba Francine, who set a world lead and meeting record time of 8:19.08, and Ethiopia's Ejgayehu Taye, who finished second in 8:19.52.
The next meet is set for Brussels, Belgium on September 3.
