Chemutai disappointed despite bagging silver at the Paris Olympics

The pain of not winning gold was evident after Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, the world’s number-one beat her to the finish line by 58 microseconds, to win Olympic gold in an Olympic record time of 8:52.76.

But Peruth Chemutai had won Uganda her second Olympic medal and a second for Uganda in Paris and silver that came in a new national record of 8:53.34 at the Stade de France on Tuesday night. 

Winfred Yavi (left) outsprints Peruth Chemutai on her way to winning the Olympics 3000m steeplechase race at the Stade de France, August 6, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

But the African silver medalist and national record holder could not celebrate immediately as she soaked in the defeat. After sobbing for a few minutes, she gathered herself up and hugged her management team and her coaches before she got involved, waving to the mammoth crowds who cheered her on during the race.

She went in the final confident of defending her title but she came short after she allowed the Bahraini to overtake her, 50 meters to the finish.

Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi celebrates winning the Olympics 3000m steeplechase race ahead of Uganda's Peruth Chemutai at the Stade de France. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

A few minutes after the race she told the media that she was disappointed with the result and that she would immediately start preparations for the next games in Los Angeles in 2028.

“I feel bad because I was not happy but all in all I will be fine. The race was tight everyone was strong and I tried my best today,” Chemutai said.

“The time I made doesn’t matter. I need to work on my speed because I had it until the last 50 meters. I need now to prepare for the Wanda Diamond League. I need to work hard and get back to winning ways. I need to rest now before I embark on preparations for the next Olympics,” Chemutai stated.

Action from the Olympics women's 3000m steeplechase race final at the Stade de France, August 6, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

She thought it was in her hands after she led by the halfway mark but Yavi strategized better and when they cleared the last huddle at the same time she outsprinted the champion to win the seven-lap race.

She had exuded confidence going into the final saying; “I don’t care who is in the final I’m only focused on running without any pressure. I’m now in good shape and looking forward to defending my title,” Chemutai said after qualifying for the final.

Kenyan Faith Cherotich took the bronze in a new personal best of 8:55.15. The disappointment of missing gold might not go away quickly but Chemutai has enjoyed a relatively good season that has seen her win silver at the Africa Games, and set new national records.

The government of Uganda through the NCS and UOC facilitated Team Uganda to the games with additional support from the UOC, Plascon and Sanlam Insurance.