KENYAN`S OWN CHEBET EYES DOUBLE GLORY IN PARIS.

With her incredible victory at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene over the weekend, two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet is aiming for double gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Olympics.

As the first woman to go under 29 minutes on the track, Chebet smashed the women's 10,000-meter world record with a breathtaking time of 28:54.14. Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia owned the prior record, which was set on 29:01.03.

Taking second place with a time of 29:05.92, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia was followed in second place by Lilian Kasait (29:26.89) and Margaret Chelimo (29:27.59). 

The 10,000-meter event was a component of the Paris Olympics Athletics Kenya (AK) Trials. Two athletes, Chebet and Kasait, were guaranteed a berth on the squad; a panel will choose the third participant.

Chebet noted that she had her sights set on the 5,000- and 10,000-meter gold medals at the Olympics in Paris following her victory in Eugene.

"I'll run the 10,000m after the 5,000m in Paris. I am confident that with my current state of health and my diligence, I will win the medals," she stated.

Before making her Olympic debut, Chebet stated her excitement. "I'm thrilled to be joining Team Kenya. I'll be playing for the Olympics for the first time."

Chebet said that breaking the record wasn't her intention. "I wasn't here to break a world record. All we came for was the Olympic Trials.

She went on to say that she was inspired to attempt the record after witnessing world 5000m record holder Tsegay, who had originally asked for a world record pace, falter in the last few strides.

"My body was in terrific shape, so I decided to try and break the world record when Tsegay requested for one. When I reached the final two circuits, I just became excited and thought, "I'm on a world record pace, so let me push the last 400m," after seeing Tsegay lag a little.

"This was my first 10,000-meter race outside of the country," she continued. I'm glad I was able to surpass the global record."

Daniel Mateiko won the men's 10,000-meter event, recording a world-leading time and a personal best of 26:50.81.

Bernard Kibet came in third in 26:51.09, closely followed by Nicholas Kipkorir in 26:50.94.

Following the panel's decision, the third athlete will be revealed. Mateiko and Kipkorir have been selected for Team Kenya.

Having trained for marathons, Mateiko was taken aback by his victory. "Since I had been focusing largely on marathon training, I wasn't expecting to win. In the previous two weeks, I modified my regimen, and I'm happy that I succeeded," he remarked.

Mateiko is currently focused on winning an Olympic gold medal. "I see myself on a different level after my run here in Eugene. I am eagerly awaiting the Olympics and am ravenous for more."

The fastest man in Africa, Ferdinand Omanyala, raced his first race under 10 seconds this season, coming in second in 9.98 behind Christian Coleman of the USA (9.95).

"This season is all about progress," stated Omanyala, who expressed satisfaction with his recent success. I'm happy that everything is proceeding according to schedule, and I aim to have everything running smoothly during the Olympics."

In his prior races, Omanyala finished second at the Atlanta City Games (10.00), where South Africa's Akani Simbine established a world record and seventh at the Kip Keino Classic (10.03). At the Kip Keino Classic (10.03) and Atlanta City Games (10.00), when South Africa's Akani Simbine established a world record of 9.90, Omanyala finished fifth and second, respectively, in his prior events.

The 800-meter world champion Mary Moraa had to settle for second place after finishing in 1:56.71, just behind Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, who won in 1:55.78.

Peruth Chemutai of Uganda finished in 8:55.09, just ahead of global indoor bronze winner Beatrice Chepkoech, who clocked in at 8:56.51 for second place in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.