Athletics: Winfred Yavi breaks Olympic record to win women’s 3000m steeplechase
It is loud in the Stade de France for the women’s 3000m steeplechase final, with France’s Alice Finot running in this race.
But with three laps to go, she is not in contention – there is a lead group of six athletes, headed by Uganda’s defending champion Peruth Chemutai.
It’s down to five as they come around the obstacle on the straight for two laps to go, with Chemutai leading Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech and Winfred Yavi of Bahrain.
Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew attempts a move but it doesn’t come off. They’re up on the straight once more to take the bell with Chemutai, Chepkoech, and Yavi roared on by the crowd.
That front group is now strung out as Chemutai kicks early! Yavi has gone with her on the back straight! Faith Cherotich has moved into third, clear of Chepkoech!
Into the water jump for the last time and here comes Yavi, kicking for home in a deafening stadium! She seems to overtake Chemutai over the last obstacle and will hold her lead to win in a new Olympic record!
Chemutai cannot believe that she has been beaten so close to the line, crossing the finish with her hands on her head.
The world champion Yavi wins in 8:52.76, taking over six seconds off the old Olympic record standing from 2008, with Chemutai taking silver in a national record 8:53.34 and Kenya’s Cherotich bronze in a personal best 8:55.15.
Finot finished fourth in a new European record 8:58.67, prompting a big cheer from the crowd.
A national record, too, for Great Britain’s Elizabeth Bird in seventh in 9:04.35.