Kenyan star wins silver medal after appeal following disqualification

Controversy exploded in Paris after a runner was stripped of a silver medal before an appeal saw the result sensationally overturned.

The contact between the runners that resulted in Kipyegon being disqualified. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The women’s 5000m final ended in controversy after one runner was disqualified and stripped of the silver medal minutes after the conclusion of the race.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet took out the final in extraordinary fashion on Tuesday (AEST) while her countrywoman Faith Kipyegon crossed the line second.

Chebet and Kipyegon, the reigning world champion, were locked in a battle down the final straight before Chebet surged over the top of her teammate in the final 50m, having been stuck behind as they rounded the bend.

The pair were spotted celebrating together and were waving their national flag with fans in the grandstand before word of Kipyegon’s DQ came through.

Replays showed that with a little over two laps remaining in the race, Kipyegon became entangled with rival Gudaf Tsegay, the world record holder from Ethiopia, as they tusselled for track position.

Kipyegon appeared to pull on the arm of Tsegay who reacted angrily by fending off the Kenyan.

Hours after the race had been run however, the disqualification decision was rubbed out with Kipyegon reinstated and her silver medal being handed back.

Kipyegon on the inside tangled with Tsegay. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

A Eurosport commentator was in disbelief over the display and couldn’t quite believe Kipyegon had been disqualified.

“That was outrageous I’m afraid. I am astonished,” he said on the global broadcast.

“That was dreadful. She was not in front of her and shouldn’t have moved into her space. She wasn’t remotely far enough in front of her. There’s a rule you cannot into the space of an athlete where their feet are landing. Tsegay there was very out of order.

“I think Tsegay was pushing into Kipyegon. Kipyegon just tried to protect her area, her zone so to speak.

“If anything from those pictures what I’ve witnessed so far, and we need to get more information, I think Tsegay should have been disqualified.

“I am utterly flabbergasted. I cannot believe it.

“If anything they’ve got it completely wrong.”

Tsegay took the lead of the race after the tussle. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Channel 9’s Tamsyn Manou expecting the protest from the Kenyan to be successful after watching the footage of the incident.

“I’m not sure this will stand because I think Kipyegon will try to put in a disqualification against the Ethiopian Tsegay, for the fact she encroached on her space,” Manou said.

“She didn’t give her enough room to go around her before she cut in. Kipyegon had the lead. So, I think we will watch this space, but Kipyegon has to run a 1500m tomorrow.”

Fans watching on couldn’t quite believe the decision that had been handed down with viewers believing Tsegay was at fault.

Podcast host JE Skeets wrote on X: “This feels wrong. From what we saw on TV, it sure looked like the Ethiopian runner Gudaf Tsegay encroached on Kipyegon’s inside position and started the nonsense.”

Author Steve Magness wrote: “Wow! Results show Kipyegon DQd! That is a bunch of BS. She was leading the race. Had a clear line on the track, and Tsegay tried to come in on her. Hopefully this does not stand. It was very clear on the video. Horrible call by the track official on this one.”

Kipyegon celebrated before the news of her DQ came to light. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Several fans were quick to point out Tsegay was involved in a similar scuffle during the world championships in 2023 when she tangled with Hassan.

One account on X wrote: “Tsegay is a notorious pull and push athlete. This is how she pushed Sifan Hassan last year and wasn’t disqualified. Faith Kipyegon deserves justice.”

Hassan weighed in after the final was run and didn’t mince her words when talking about the Ethiopian runner.

“It is always drama with Tsegay. She pushed me last year. She is always pulling and pushing. I feel bad for Kipyegon. I wouldn’t mind if she gets silver back,” she said.

In the end the final result of a Kenyan one-two was confirmed.

Originally published as Kenyan star wins silver medal after appeal following disqualification