Steeplechase (3,000 metres), Men

Kenyan had dominated this event since the 1972 Olympics, and their team was so strong in 2016 that those ranked 2-7 on the yearly world list were left home. Kenya was led by Ezekiel Kemboi, gold medallist in 2004 and 2012, and winner of the last four World Championships. He was joined by Conseslus Kipruto who led the world list coming to Rio, and had been runner-up at the 2013 and 2015 Worlds. One non-Kenyan given a shot at a medal was American Evan Jager, who had been performing well on the Diamond League circuit over the past two years.

At 1100 metres Kipruto, Kemboi, and Jager had pulled ahead of the field, and would run together most of the way. With two laps left, France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad had moved up from the field and was close to the leading trio. Kipruto and Kemboi moved ahead of Jager at the bell, but Kipruto dropped his teammate on the backstretch, and the duo seemed poised to finish 1-2. Jager, however, ran Kemboi down, passing him on the final barrier, and took the silver medal, with Kemboi seemingly third, and Mekhissi fourth.The French protested Kemboi’s finish, noting that he had stepped off the track exiting a water jump, and the protest was upheld. Kemboi was disqualified and Mekhissi moved up to the bronze medal.