Kenyan trio through to men’s Paris Games 5000m final

World bronze medallist Krop clocked 14:08.73 to place fourth in the first heat with his compatriot and United States-based Kurgat finishing fifth in 14:08.76 to secure a final slot.

Kwemoi, who is making his second Olympic appearance after a 13th-place finish in the 1500m at Rio 2016, ensured all Kenyans were through to Saturday's showdown placing sixth in the second heat in 13:52.51.

With reigning champion Joshua Cheptegei and his Ugandan teammate Jacob Kiplimo opting out of the 12.5-lap race, the Kenyan trio hope that would be a blessing in disguise as they seek to end the 36-year title wait.

John Ngugi won Kenya gold in 5000m during the Seoul Games in 1988– long before the Kenyan trio had been born.

“The challenge is still the same. It’s one problem removed and other more problems ahead so we must be very focused.

“Those you are expecting to win sometimes don’t win so in the Olympics you don’t treat one opponent as the tough one, all of them in the lineup are capable. So we will not say we are advantaged now that Cheptegei and Kiplimo are out. We still have strong guys in the line up like Jakob and also the Ethiopians,” said Kurgat.

Also advancing was world champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, licking his wounds following Tuesday’s 1500m shocker to qualify for the 5,000m final crossing the finish line first in 13:51.59 in second heat.

Kenya’s sole Olympic gold medal in the men’s 5000m was won by John Ngugi in 1988 – long before the three Kenyan 5000m representatives had been born.