Tearful Cheruiyot eyes women 5000m comeback

Vivian Cheruiyot burst into tears at the mixed zone soon after the end of the women 10000m race of the Rio 2016 Olympics after her bid for gold unravelled at the hands of Ethiopian Almaz Ayana, probably in the knowledge her last chance to medal at the quadrennial event had just evaporated.

The four-time world champion sought the solace of journalists from Kenya, since her husband and rock, Moses Kiplagat, was like most of her compatriots, watching the events unfold at home after he and son Allan Kiprono were denied the chance to travel to Brazil.

But after gathering her poise, she put on a brave face and stated she would give her all at the women 5000m in her undying quest to depart her track career at the Olympics as a champion, having come close to glory at the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and now, Rio 2016.

Despite setting Kenya’s national record of 29:32.53 which was two second shy of the world record and third fastest mark of all time, emotions ran high for the London 5000m silver and 10000m bronze medallist who could not address media at first.

“I still have 5000m were I shall be running with Almaz. You never know what is going to happen hence I leave everything to God,” the four-time world champion offered when she composed herself to speak to the press hounds in Rio.

You could almost feel her anguish. Cheruiyot, 32, ran the hardest she has ever in the 25 and a half-lap race but she still not got what she craved the most.

“It is not a loss, it was victory. She did the best she ever done but I believe the Kenyans went out too fast against an athlete who can go fast in the laps. If they had waited, her legs would have loaded since this is the 10000m, not a sprint.

“We are so proud of her because she ran like a champion and to us; she will always be a winner. It speaks volumes since Ethiopians are better prepared for such races than we do,” her dotting spouse cum coach Kiplagat told Citizen Digital from their Kaptagat home.

Why he and son Allan Kiprono are not in Rio in support of the ‘Pocket Rocket’ as Cheruiyot who took silver at the Beijing 2008 Games over 5000m are not in Brazil is a matter of separate discussion as the brewing controversy within the ranks of management at the National Olympics Committee-Kenya rages on.

But her spouse feels her family’s presence would have added just that extra bit to her in motivation.

“Seeing us there would have made the difference,” he added without delving in the devil of the detail how they were left in their Kaptagat home as the most decorated Kenyan distance runner travelled for her Olympics mission.

But as Cheruiyot wallowed in the disappointment of losing the race to nothing less than a world record, US based fifth finisher Besty Saina was elated for the start of Kenya’s medal hunt with a silver as she posted a personal best of 30:07.78 for fifth.

“The race was so tough I wasn’t expecting to run that fast. Every time when one runs 30:07 it is expected to be a winning time. I finished with that time and I was number five today.

“It was very tough to see somebody break the world record and we had four people running below 30 minutes which is phenomenal and I think it’s something that has never been done before if I’m not wrong,” the third finisher at the Kenyan Trials and debutant gushed.

“To be honest it was the perfect day for running the weather was great and I’m happy for Vivian for wining silver though I wish she would have won gold that’s what’s every country is looking for.

“But we are happy for a silver it’s a good start for us and I hope they shall go well in the 5000m,” the Oregon Team runner added.

Saina, like most distance running pundits was of the opinion that African champion and fourth finisher, Alice Aprot’s front running for 5000m laid the platform that Ayana seized upon to make history.

“At the start of the race, they took off at a high speed and by 5000m we were at 14:46.81 and I knew that is the world record was gone.  We just have to concentrate on our team

The soft-spoken Ayana could not hide the joy from her historic win.

“This means everything for me. Getting to this point is a dream come true. I never thought that this would happen and I’m so in awe. I’m very happy to get here,” she offered as an entire planet sat and applauded her majestic achievement that will resonate beyond her home nation of Ethiopia.