Selemon Barega, Ethiopia, won the shock Olympic Games gold medal in men's 10,000m on Friday. He beat Joshua Cheptegei, the world record holder from Uganda.Barega, 21 years old, sped down the home straight and crossed the line in 27.22 seconds. This was ahead of Cheptegei (27:43.63).Jacob Kiplimo was the youngest Ugandan Olympian to run the 5,000 heats in Rio at the age of 15. He ran it in 27:43.88 for bronze in the first athletics medal event in the Games.Barega, who was the 2019 5,000m World Championship silver medallist and set the second fastest 10,000m time in June, was applauded as he smiled widely while completing a victory lap, his country's flag wrapped around his shoulders.Cheptegei stated that he was feeling mixed emotions."I feel two emotions. He said that he was happy to have been awarded an Olympic silver medal. "But I am not happy with the result. I came here expecting to win gold."Cheptegei also acknowledged that 2021 was difficult for him.He said, "This was a very difficult and challenging year for me in racing." "It was the year I lost all my focus and all my belief. It was overwhelming pressure that I felt in every moment.Stephen Kissa, Uganda, was the pacemaker at the beginning of the race before he dropped out just over half way through.Kissa said that she had a plan to get ahead and make it a fast race. "I thought they would follow me, but they weren't there when I looked around."Cheptegei briefly led, but then dropped back into the pack. Barega took advantage of his opportunity and moved among the leaders for the final third of the race. He finally reached the front with a strong surge on the final lap to win his surprise victory.
