Timothy Cheruiyot and Brian Komen will be seeking to win a first Olympics title in 1,500m since 2008 but face a formidable challenge from Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr.
Timothy Cheruiyot and Brian Komen carry Kenya’s hopes for an Olympics medal in the men’s 1,500m final that will take place on Tuesday.
Kenya last won Olympics gold over the distance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics through Asbel Kiprop with the race proving challenging since, especially with the emergence of Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Ingebrigtsen is still favourite to retain his title but has a formidable opponent in Great Britain’s Josh Kerr, meaning the Kenyans will most likely be fighting for whatever is left.
06:00 - 06.08.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Faith Kipyegon embarks on 1,500m medal quest after emotional rollercoaster in 5000m duel
World and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon will be out to seal her place in the 1,500m semi-final on Tuesday with compatriots Susan Ejore and Nelly Chepchirchir providing backup.
However, in Timothy Cheruiyot, Kenya has an experienced runner as he won silver in Tokyo behind the Norwegian and can upset the formbook if he gets his tactics right.
Cheruiyot nearly missed out on a ticket to the final after opting to run on the inside lane and was boxed for most of the race, before a late surge saved his Olympics dream.
He cannot afford a similar strategy in the final if he is to win a medal and he will be backed by compatriot Brian Komen.
23:00 - 05.08.2024
Beatrice Chebet wins Kenya's first gold medal at Paris Olympics as Faith Kipyegon is disqualified
Beatrice Chebet won Kenya's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics after a great victory past favourite Faith Kipyegon with the world champion losing silver over a track offence.
It is the first Olympics for Komen who is the reigning African Games champion and he should offer a great challenge if he also changes his tactics.
Komen also ran in the inside lane and was crowded out in the final stretch before he later made it to the final.
The race will begin at 8.50pm East African time and with Kenya already with three medals, a gold, silver and bronze, there is hope that a fourth one will arrive from the race.
23:30 - 05.08.2024
Explained: Why Faith Kipyegon was disqualified despite finishing second in Paris Olympics 5000m final
Faith Kipyegon experienced a brutal end to her Paris 2024 Olympics 5,000m campaign after her silver medal win was quashed.