Kimeli, Mateiko and Kibet carry Kenya’s gold medal hopes in 10,000m

Kenya’s trio of Nicholas Kimeli, Daniel Mateiko and Japan-based Bernard Kibet could open the country’s medal account at the Paris Olympics when they line up against a sparkling array of world beaters in the 10,000m final on Friday at 10:20pm at Stade de France.

The three will be eyeing to match the late Naftali Temu’s heroics, who not only won the first ever gold for Kenya in the 1968 Mexico Games in the 10,000m, but also the last one in the 24-lap-race with the likes Paul Target, Richard Chelimo and Paul Tanui only managing silver medals.

The Kenyans will however have to hatch a proper plan if they are to snatch the title from Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega who clocked 27:43.2 to win the Tokyo Olympics ahead of current record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda and his compatriot Jakob Kiplimo.

"Every competition has a winner. We have prepared them adequately. They are all good in their own right, if you consider the times they have clocked this season and at the national trials during the Prefontaine Classic (in Oregon, United States.)

"We have high hopes in them even though we have our perennial rivals, Uganda and Ethiopia. I know they will pose a great challenge but we trust the trio to deliver,” said middle distance coach Alex Sang.

Kenya performed dismally at the Tokyo Olympics with Rhonex Kipruto, who was recently banned for violating doping rules, finishing a distance eighth.

“We had a structured programme. We started with endurance training and then headed for speed. However, we couldn't afford time to hit the gym and hill work.

“We had already slipped into championship mode and it was only important that we get our priorities right. The speed work was intense and we believe it has prepared our boys to finally crack the elusive title.”

With temperatures in Paris and surrounding climbing to 35 C (95 F) or higher, coach Sang is worried the heat could negatively impact the athletes but he says they trained in all weather conditions during the buildup for the Games.

“After the trials at the end of June, we hit the road running even though the weather was a bit different from what we had in Nairobi. It is a bit hot in Paris.

“They are a good trio and have shown the highest level of discipline, especially since we stepped into residential training camp.”

Mateiko, winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon earlier this year, smashed his 10,000m PB to win Kenya’s trial race in Eugene in May in 26:50.81 while Kimeli, who finished fourth over 5000m at the Tokyo Olympics, was a close second to Mateiko in Eugene Diamond League.

The Kenyan trio will also face a tough competition from Ethiopia’s Yomif Kajelcha, who holds the world’s season-leading time of 26:31.01, with compatriot Berihu Aregawi only one tenth of a second behind. Aregawi placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.