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PARIS - Uganda’s Olympic 3000m steeplechase defending champion Peruth Chemutai produced the best time from the heats as she embarked on defending her title at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Chemutai clocked 9:10.51 to qualify for the final with the best time, though 55.42 seconds short of her world-leading time of 8:55.09, which she set at the Eugene Diamond League in Oregon in March.

The time also set a new national record, a feat that could win her the Olympic title again if she manages to replicate it in the final.

She qualified in her heat alongside Kenyan Faith Cherotich, who came second in 9:10.57, and Germany’s Felicitas Gesa Krause, who qualified with a season-best 9:10.68. USA’s Courtney Wayment and Ethiopia’s Muleta Lomi, with a personal best of 9:10.73, also advanced to the final.

Chemutai led her heat from start to finish in what seemed a comfortable race for her. Now, she is eagerly waiting to complete the job on Tuesday in the final, which will feature 15 contestants.

Peruth Chemutai (right) clears on of the hurdles ahead of her opponents in heat-1 of the 3000m Steeplechase race at the Paris2024 Olympics, August 4, 2024. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

“I feel good because it is a good atmosphere; everyone is cheering for me, and I’m looking forward to the final. After winning in Tokyo, I declined a bit, but I’m now in good shape and looking forward to defending my title,” Chemutai said post-race.

She added that she is not scared of the strong field and is only focused on running her race without any pressure. She will draw inspiration from Joshua Cheptegei, who claimed an Olympic 10,000m gold on Friday.

“I was so happy for him because we have been with him in training, and he called me and advised me not to run with pressure,” she said.

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