Kenyan athlete's rival asked for her silver medal disqualification to be removed in incredible gesture

One of Faith Kipyegon's rivals asked for the Kenyan's silver medal to be reinstated after she was disqualified from the women's 5000m Olympics final.

Kipyegon, who is one of the most successful athletes in Kenyan history, finished second behind compatriot Beatrice Chebet on the track in Paris.

But the 30-year-old was disqualified after an incident with Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay on the penultimate lap.

Organisers deemed that Kipyegon had 'obstructed' Tsegay, which invalidated her silver medal and prompted an immediate protest from Athletics Kenya officials.

Here is the shove in question involving Faith Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay… pic.twitter.com/6C1qGijDh6

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) August 5, 2024

It was later announced that the reigning women's 1500m champion had in fact been reinstated. Tsegay, who is a former world record holder at the distance but finished in ninth place, was not disqualified.

Initially, Netherlands runner Sifan Hassan had been promoted up to the silver medal after originally finishing in third place.

However, the 31-year-old, who was the reigning Olympic champion heading into the final, protested the decision when informed about it during her post-race interview.

She asked: "How is that [a DQ] possible? Why? Really, really? Oh, what a shame.

"It doesn't really matter to me [which medal I win]. I'm happy with the bronze medal, and I hope that she [Kipyegon] doesn't lose her silver medal."

Netherlands' Sifan Hassan, refuted vehemently an attempt to tell her that she was being graduated to the silver 🥈 medal insisting @FaithKipyegon_ had beaten her fairly. She's aware of Tsegay's (from her native Ethiopia) shoves as a victim in the clip here? Finally Faith got it! pic.twitter.com/rea7yLzhMp

— Kenya News Centre🇰🇪 (@KenyaNewsCentre) August 6, 2024

After news of Kipyegon's reinstatement was made official, Hassan said: "I am really happy that Faith gets her medal back.

"I don't really feel like I really deserved the silver - I don't wish for medals I did not win."

She added: "I love my bronze medal, it doesn't matter to me what medal I get or position I finish as long as there is fairness."

After her bronze medal, Hassan will have other chances to win a gold medal as part of a gruelling schedule in Paris.

The Dutch runner, who was born in Ethiopia, will compete in the 10000m and marathon events, and also signed up to compete in the 1500m but pulled out last Wednesday.