“It is always drama with Tsegay. She pushed me last year. She is always pulling and pushing. I feel bad for Faith Kipyegon. I wouldn’t mind if she gets the silver back.”
Tuesday was an eventful day as Kenyan fans expressed both frustration and appreciation towards Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan following their interaction with Kenya’s star athlete, Faith Kipyegon.
The drama unfolded during the women’s 5000m final on Monday night, where a tussle between Ethiopia's Gedaf Tsegay and Kipyegon led to Kipyegon’s silver medal being temporarily revoked before being reinstated.
Beatrice Chebet, making her Olympic debut, secured Kenya’s first gold medal on Monday by winning the 5000m race. Kipyegon finished second, and Hassan claimed the bronze. However, after the race, it was announced that Kipyegon had been disqualified for her involvement in the tussle with Tsegay, despite replays suggesting that Tsegay was the one at fault.
Following the announcement, Sifan Hassan expressed her displeasure with Tsegay during a post-race interview, stating, “It is always drama with Tsegay. She pushed me last year. She is always pulling and pushing. I feel bad for Faith Kipyegon. I wouldn’t mind if she gets the silver back.”
By Tuesday, Kenyans took to social media to praise Hassan for her sportsmanship, while also flooding Tsegay’s social media pages with what is now famously referred to as “greetings,” which was actually a wave of backlash and protest.
Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo shared his thoughts on the situation, posting, “Tsegay is the one who should have been disqualified, not Faith Kipyegon” - echoing the sentiments of commentators on his Eurosport feed.
A tearful Faith Kipyegon was seen being comforted in the mixed zone by journalist Lyne Wachira as she broke down over the withdrawal of her silver medal. Kipyegon, a double world champion and world record holder, had been aiming for a double medal victory at the Olympics, competing in both her signature 1500m event and the 5000m.