Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot Win First Medals for Kenya at the London Olympics

Kenya got to the medals list for this first time at the London Olympics tonight after Sally Jepkosgei Kipyego won silver and fellow Kenyan Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot won bronze in the women’s 10,000 meters race. Sally, a resident of Texas ran a time of 30:26:37 while Vivian finished with a time of 30:30:44.

The race was won by Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, who was the defending champion atfer winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m races at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. She won with a huge margin, with a time of 30:20:75.

Sally and Vivian both had hopes of being the first Kenyans to win an Olympic gold in the 10,000m event, but Dibaba was just too strong for them. A third Kenyan, Linet Chepkirui, had to drop out of the race after hurting her leg.

The men’s 10,000m Final will take place tomorrow at 4:15pm.

Earlier in the day, Brimin Kipruto, Abel Kirui and Ezekiel Kemboi qualified for the 3,000m Steeplechase Final, which will take place on Sunday. The women’s qualifying round of the 3,000m Steeplechase takes place tomorrow morning, with the final event also scheduled for Sunday.

The qualifying rounds of the men’s 1,500m were also held today, with Asbel Kiprop and Silas Kiplagat qualifying for the Finals which will take place on Tuesday, August 7.