Beatrice Chebet and Abraham Kibiwott left Kenya for the Paris Olympics as constables in the police service but returned home as corporals. On Wednesday at Jogoo House, acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli promoted Chebet after she won gold in both the women’s 5000m and 10,000m races. Kibiwott, who secured bronze in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, was also elevated to the rank of corporal.
It is customary for officers in Kenya's disciplined forces to receive a promotion for outstanding performances on the international stage. Chebet, who is based in Kericho, expressed her joy at the promotion, attributing her success to hard work and discipline. "It feels great to be promoted, and I am grateful to my boss, Masengeli, for rewarding my efforts. I also appreciate my colleagues, teammates, and family for their support," she said.
Chebet, making her Olympics debut, claimed the 5000m gold on August 6 with a time of 14:28.56, finishing ahead of compatriot Faith Kipyegon and Dutch runner Sifan Hassan. She completed her historic double on August 9 by winning the 10,000m in 39:43.25, beating Italy's Nadia Batocletti and Sifan Hassan at the Stade de France. Her performance places her among the legends of long-distance running, making her only the third woman to win both events at the same Olympics.
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Meanwhile, Abraham Kibiwott, an Administration Police officer based at the APTC training school in Embakasi, was also promoted after winning bronze in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:06.47, finishing behind America’s Kenneth Rooks and Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali. Kibiwott, who hails from Uasin Gishu County, has a personal best of 8:05.51 and previously won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the 2016 African Championships in Durban. "I gave it my all, but I couldn’t get the gold. I will keep working towards it. I’m very happy to have moved up a rank," he said.
After returning from Paris, both athletes traveled to Eldoret, the City of Champions, where President William Ruto hosted a breakfast meeting for the Kenyan Olympic team. The president is expected to award the medalists with cash bonuses. Team Kenya finished 17th overall in Paris, with a total of 11 medals: 4 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze.
