Africans strongly in the hunt for 10 000 gold
2024 Olympics
Southern African countries will not be represented by any women’s runners in the 10 000 metres at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.Adriaan Wildschutt from South Africa is the only male from the SADC region that will run the 10 000 in France. With 26 minutes 55.54 he clocked the 18th fastest time this year.
The rest of Africa bring five women and six men to the Games, while the Sudanese born Jamal Eisa Mohammed will run for the Refugee Team in the men’s race.
The twelve women come from Burundi (one athlete), Eritrea (1), Ethiopia (4), Kenya (3) and Uganda (3).
The 16 men are from Burundi (2), Eritrea (2), Ethiopia 4), Kenya (4), Rwanda (1) and Uganda (3).
Beatrice Shebet from Kenya, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia and Lilian Rengeruk from Kenya ran the top three women’s 10 000 times in 2024. Tsegay won gold at the 2023 World Championship in Budapest with 31:27.18.
Shebet only switched to the 10 000 this year. She owns the 10 000 world record after taking a giant seven-second bite off the previous mark with 28 minutes 54.14 seconds on 25 May 2024 in the USA.
In only her second-ever 10 000m race, Chebet added this world record to the 5 km world record (14:13) she set in Barcelona in December.
Women's 10 000, SADC runners at this Olympic Games: none.
Rest of Africa: Burundi: Francine Niyomukunzi (42nd seeded). Eritrea: Rahel Daniel (none). Ethiopia: Gudaf Tsegay (2nd), Fotyen Tesfay (5th), Tsigie Gebreselama (6th) and Aynadis Mebratu (11th). Kenya: Beatrice Shebet (1st), Lilian Rengeruk (3rd) and Janeth Chepngetich (8th). South Africa: Uganda: Sarah Chelangat (13th), Joy Cheptoyek (115th) and Annet Chelangat (none).
Men’s 10 000 metres
Namibia’s Daniel Paulus without competition ran a excellent 27:45.00 in May this year in the 10 000 in Windhoek. His time brought him within 45 seconds of 27:00.00 to qualify for Paris.
Paulus was unfortunately not selected by Athletics Namibia for the African Championships in Douala. That would have been the ideal opportunity for him to see what he is capable of.
Paulus would have felt at home between the world’s best 10 000 runners in Paris. His 27:45.00 placed him 78th in 2024.
Joshua Cheptegei is the current world record holder with 26:11.00 in the 10 000 that he set in 2020. He collected three 10 000 world titles in 2019, 2022 and 2023, as well as silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Cheptegei’s strongest opposition could come from Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha (1st ranked in 2024), Berihu Aregawi (2nd), Selemon Barega (3rd) and Biniam Mehary (4th).
Men's 10 000 runners from SADC: South Africa: Adriaan Wildschutt (18th ranked).
Rest of Africa: Burundi: Célestin Ndikumana (72nd) and Rodrigue Kwizera (none). Eritrea: Habtom Samuel (15th) and Merhawi Mebrahtu (17th). Ethiopia: Yomif Kejelcha (1st), Berihu Aregawi (2nd), Selemon Barega (3rd) and Biniam Mehary (4th). Kenya: Daniel Mateiko (7th), Nicholas Kipkorir (8th), Bernard Kibet (9th) and Benson Kiplangat (16th). Refugee team: Jamal Eisa Mohammed (none). Rwanda: Yves Nimubona (none). Uganda: Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo and Martin Kiprotich (all 3 none).
Women’s marathon
SADC countries: Lesotho: Mokulubete Makatisi (276th seed). Mauritius: Marie Perrier (no seeding). Namibia: Helalia Johannes (275th). South Africa: Cian Oldknow (101st), Gerda Steyn (none) and Irvette van Zyl (none). Tanzania: Jackline Sakilu (29th) and Magdalena Shauri (none). Zimbabwe: Rutendo Nyahora (none).
Rest of Africa: Eritrea: Nazret Weldu (68th) and Dolshi Tesfu (no seeding). Ethiopia: Tigst Assefa (5th), Megertu Alemu (7th), Amane Shankule (8th) and Gotytom Teklezgi (none). Kenya: Peres Jepchirchir (4th), Brigid Kosgei (15th), Sharon Lokedi (none) and Hellen Obiri (none). Morocco: Rahma Tahiri (92nd), Kaoutar Farkoussi (113th) and Fatima Gardadi (none). Rwanda: Clementine Mukandanga (none). Uganda: Stella Chesang (58th), Mercyline Chelangat (none), Rebecca Cheptegei (none).
Men’s marathon
SADC countries: Lesotho: Tebello Ramakongoana (120th). South Africa: Elroy Gelant (165th) and Stephen Mokoka (237th).
Rest of Africa: Chad: Valentin Betoudji (no ranking). Eritrea: Kibrom Weldemicael (77th), Berhane Tesfay (257th), Henok Tesfay (203rd) and Samsom Amare (none). Ethiopia: Deresa Geleta (3rd), Kenenisa Bekele (6th), Tamirat Tola (none) and Sissay Lemma (none). Kenia: Benson Kipruto (1st), Timothy Kiplagat (2nd), Alexander Munyao (5th) and Eliud Kipchoge (54th). Morocco: Othmane El Goumri (74th), Mohcin Outalha (none) and Zouhair Talbi (none). Refugee Olympic Team: Tachlowini Gabriyesos (none). Sudan: Yaseen Abdalla (none).
The SADC countries are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.