Olympics Rio 2016: Vivian Cheruiyot takes shock 5000m gold as Almaz Ayana fades

Updated 20/08/2016 at 03:23 GMT

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won her first Olympic title in the women’s 5000m as overwhelming pre-race favourite Almaz Ayana imploded in the final laps at Rio 2016.

Vivian Cheruiyot

Image credit: AFP

Cheruiyot took gold in a new Olympic record of 14:26.17 after Ayana – who stormed to gold in the 10,000m in an astonishing world record time – collapsed in shocking fashion.

Compatriot Hellen Obiri claimed silver in 14:29, with Ayana bumped into bronze in 14:33.

Rio 2016

Olympic marathon silver medallist Kirwa suspended for doping

22/05/2019 at 11:42

Ayana injected some ridiculously quick laps to decimate the field midway through the race, fuelling speculation she could challenge Tirunesh Dibaba’s world record of 14:11.15.

But her tactic backfired spectacularly as her lead disintegrated in the final kilometre, inviting Cheruiyot to storm through and claim the unlikeliest of wins.

Rio 2016

Police raid home of Brazil Olympics chief over Rio 2016 vote buying

05/09/2017 at 17:07

Rio 2016

Schippers: Rio didn’t turn out as I had hoped

00:01:01

22/08/2016 at 18:00

Rio 2016

Ethiopia says will welcome Rio marathon runner despite protest gesture

22/08/2016 at 16:52

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me