Three years ago, Peruth Chemutai surprised the world when she won Gold at the 2020 Olympic Games ahead of favourite Beatrice Chepkoech who finished a distant seventh.
Unlike Tokyo, Chemutai goes into the finals of the Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase at the Paris Olympics not just as a runner to look out for but as one of the favourites.
The 4th ranked steeplechaser on the planet has run the fastest time this season (8:55.09) and also registered the fastest time across the qualifying heats.
Chemutai looked comfortable in clearing the barriers and was fast enough on stretches when she eased to the Heat 1 win in 9:10.05 on Sunday.
She will need the same repose tonight when she goes up against Kenya’s world record-holder Chepkoech and world champion Winfred Mutile Yavi of Bahrain, the other top challengers for gold.
Kenya’s Faith Cherotich who recorded the second-fastest qualifying time behind Ugandan could pose a strong challenge for the medals.
Chemutai will draw inspiration from the fact that she has already beaten the trio this season when she claimed the Eugene Diamond League win in a world-leading time of 8:55.09, which is also her lifetime best.
The race is scheduled for 10:14 pm (East African Time).
