Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda to spearhead Africa in 1 500 and 5 000

In the past African middle distance athletes were always a huge factor in International athletics competitions like the Common Wealth Games, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Athletics’ Diamond League and Continental Tour events.

While no women from the SADC region has qualified for the 1500 metre at the 2024 Olympic Games in France, Ethiopia (4 runners), Kenya (4) and Uganda (1) produced nine speedsters that will line up next month in the Stade de France Stadium in Paris.

Faith Kipyegon from Kenya is the 1 500m world record holder (3 minutes 49.04 seconds), Olympic record holder (3:53.11) and is the current number one seed on World Athletics rankings for 2024. She will spearhead Africa’s onslaught in this item.

She, and the trio from Ethiopia Gudaf Tsegay (2nd seed), Birke Haylom (4th) and Diribe Welteji’s (5th) biggest competition will come from Jessica Hull (3rd) of Australia and Laura Muir (6th) from Britain. However, the seasoned Sifan Hassan (68th) from the Netherlands cannot be ruled out as a medal contender.

Kipyegon, The Kalenjin Tribe Express, won gold at the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2022 and 2023 World Championships in the USA and Hungary respectively.



Men

Ryan Mphahlele (30th seed) and Tshepo Tshite (40th) from South Africa are the only athletes from the SADC region in the 1 500 for men.

Ethiopia with three speedsters, Kenya (4) and Marocco (1) will represent Africa in this item. They will have to contain Jakob Ingebrigtsen (1st) from Norway to win gold in France.

The unstopable 23 year old Ingebrigsten won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and silver at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. Ingebrigsten is warm on the heals of Hicham El Guerrouj from Moroccos’ 1 500 world record of 3:26.00 which he registered on 14 July 1998 in Italy.

Ingebrigsten on 12 July 2024 ran 3:26.73 at a Diamond League meeting in Monaco, while Timothy Cheruiyot clocked 3:28.71 followed by Brian Komen (3:28.80) in separate competitions.

Africa’s best hope for silverware is Cheruiyot (2nd) and Komen (3rd) of Kenya.



1 500 metre Women

SADC: None.

Rest of Africa: Ethiopia: Gudaf Tsegay (2nd seed), Birke Haylom (4th), Diribe Welteji (5th) and Freweyni Hailu (7th). Kenya: Faith Kipyegon (1st), Susan Ejore (15th), Nelly Chepchirchir (23rd) and Edinah Jebitok (26th). Uganda: Winnie Nanyondo (87th).

Men

SADC: South Africa: Ryan Mphahlele (30th) and Tshepo Tshite (40th).

Rest of Africa: Ethiopia: Abdisa Fayisa (20th), Samuel Tefera (23rd) and Ermias Girma (32nd). Kenya: Timothy Cheruiyot (2nd), Brian Komen (3rd), Reynold Cheruiyot (15th) and Abel Kipsang (99th). Morocco: Anass Essayi (44th).



5 000 metre Women

SADC: None.

Rest of Africa: Ethiopia: Ejgayehu Taye (2nd), Freweyni Hailu (3rd), Medina Eisa (8th) and Gudaf Tsegay (none). Kenya: Beatrice Shebet (6th), Caroline Nyaga (22nd), Margaret Kipkemboi (30th) and Faith Kipyegon (42nd). Uganda: Esther Shebet (68th), Belinda Chemutai (73rd) and Joy Cheptoyek (78th).



Men

SADC: None.

Rest of Africa: Burundi: Egide Ntakarutimana (34th). Eritrea: Aron Kifle (52nd) and Dawit Seare (58th). Ethiopia: Hagos Gebrhiwet (1st), Addisu Yihune (5th), Selemon Barega (9th) and Biniam Mehary (13th). Kenya: Edwin Kurgat (25th), Cornelius Kemboi (38th), Ronald Kwemoi (39th) and Jacob Krop (none). Uganda: Jacob Kiplimo (3rd), Joshua Cheptegei (11th) and Oscar Chelimo (15th). – [email protected]