Leonard Chemutai finished second in heat-1 of the men’s 3000m steeplechase event to qualify for the final with a season’s best time of 8:18.19 at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old who is making his Olympic debut in the 3000m steeplechase started strong keeping up the pace with the front runners for the first 1000 meters before he briefly led the race and before Morocco’s El Bakkali Soufiane overtook him to win the race in 8:17.90.

Leonard Chemutai reacts after competing in the men's 3000m steeplechase heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO

Chemutai, who won gold in the same event at the 23rd CAA Africa Athletics Championship in 8:21.29 ahead of the Olympics will be hoping for an even more energetic performance to stand a chance of a medal.

“The race was a bit difficult but I’m happy that I finished second because it was not easy, so I thank God for what he has done for me,” Chemutai said.

“I’m very happy that I have qualified for the final in my first Olympics so by the time I compete in the final I will be good to go. It is hot but I have to fight for a medal because I want to make my country proud and I will try to win it; I will just have to endure,” Chemutai stated.

Uganda's Leonard Chemutai, Ethiopia's Getnet Wale and Spain's Daniel Arce compete in the men's 3000m steeplechase heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO

Uganda's Leonard Chemutai, Ethiopia's Getnet Wale and Spain's Daniel Arce compete in the men's 3000m steeplechase heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO

From his heat he qualified alongside Ethiopia’s Wale Getnet, Spain’s Daniel Arce and Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaziri who clocked 8:18.25, 8:18.31 and 8:18.33 respectively.

But the best time from the three heats came from heat 2 which was won by Morocco’s Mohamed Tindouft in a personal best of 8:10.62. He was followed by Ethiopian Samuel Firewu (8:11.61), and Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot (8:12.02).

India’s Sable Avinash Mukund, USA’s Mathew Wilkinson and Andorra’s Carabana Nahuel also ran in under nine minutes.