Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet made history after shattering a 24-year-old record in women's 3000 meters races in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday night, June 15.
The World Cross Country champion put up a spirited battle to win the race dominated by Kenyans at the ongoing Wanda Diamond League competitions.
According to a statement by Wanda Diamond League, Chebet clocked 8:25.01, setting her personal best and breaking a 24-year-old meeting time record set in 1999.
"Beatrice Chebet sets a new PB and breaks a 24-year-old meeting record with 8:25.01 in the 3000 meters," Wanda Diamond League announced.
Romanian athlete Gabriela Szabo held the previous record, clocking 8:27.21 in 1999 to set a meeting time.
Her rise to fame started in 2022 when the policewoman won the silver medal in the 5,000 metres at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Chebet followed that by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. In 2022, the athlete also won gold in the 5,000 meters at the African Championships in St Pierre, Mauritius.
Breaking the 24-year-old record was part of her efforts to set the pace in the long-distance races in the country.
Other athletes who dominated the 3,000 meters race in Oslo included Lilian Kasait Rengeruk, who blazed to her personal best after clocking 8:25.90.
Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi powered through in 8:26.14, setting her season-best time.
Ruto's Promise
On Tuesday, June 13, President William Ruto promised to reward Ksh5 million to every athlete who breaks the world record. The Head of State further vowed to issue athletes diplomatic passports to facilitate their participation in various races globally.
Ruto made the promise after awarding athlete Faith Kipyegon for her exceptional performances in the Florence and Paris Diamond Leagues.
The head of state awarded Kipyegon Ksh5 million and a three-bedroomed house worth Ksh6 million for breaking two world records in the 1,500 and 5,000 metres.
"For every world record broken by a Kenyan, the government of Kenya is going to award an athlete Ksh5 million," Ruto stated.
100 meters sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala was also rewarded with Ksh1 million for his stellar performance during the KipKeino Classics races at Kasarani, Nairobi.
