Ezekiel Kemboi won Kenya's first gold medal in track and field at the
London Olympics in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Sunday night, eight
years after winning at the Athens Olympics.
Kenya's Abel Mutai secured bronze but there was drama when compatiot and defending champion Brimin Kipruto was tripped with 700m remaining.
Kipruto jumped straight back to his feet but could only finish fifth.
Kenya have dominated this race in past Olympics and this was no different.
After a slow start Kemboi, who also won the Olympic title in 2004, made his break on the final lap.
His sprint finish took him well clear and he had time to drift all the way across to lane eight before crossing the finishing line.
The 30-year-old marked his gold medal with a trackside celebration dance in front of a capacity crowd of 80,000 at the Olympic Stadium.
World champion Ezekiel Kemboi secured Kenya's first gold medal of London 2012
with victory in the men's 3,000m steeplechase
at the Olympic Stadium.
Kemboi, 30, finished in 8 minutes 18.56 seconds, with Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France taking silver.
Kenya's Abel Mutai secured bronze but there was drama when compatiot and defending champion Brimin Kipruto was tripped with 700m remaining.
Kipruto jumped straight back to his feet but could only finish fifth.
Kenya have dominated this race in past Olympics and this was no different.
After a slow start Kemboi, who also won the Olympic title in 2004, made his break on the final lap.
His sprint finish took him well clear and he had time to drift all the way across to lane eight before crossing the finishing line.
The 30-year-old marked his gold medal with a trackside celebration dance in front of a capacity crowd of 80,000 at the Olympic Stadium.
