TOKYO 2020: Kimeli promises gold in Paris 2024 as appeal for bronze flops

Nicholas Kimeli, Kenya's sole representative at the Tokyo Olympics 5000m final says coming short of a medal in the race won by Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei has ignited a fire in him to work for the ultimate prize in the next Olympics. 

Kimeli looked strong in Tokyo and was well on his way to clinching Kenya's first medal in the distance since London 2012 when Thomas Longosiwa finished third behind Mo Farah and Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia but he was pipped on the line by Kenyan-born American Paul Chelimo. 

"I had a good race but in the final 800m I struggled with hamstring pain on my left leg. I was hopeful of coming home in a podium position and I fought to the end but it was not my day. I slowed down in the last two laps, allowing Cheptegei to go past me, just to find a way to deal with the muscle pain but I was not ready when the others attacked on the homestraight," 

"I missed bronze by a small margin. All in all I am happy with my position and I have accepted the outcome and thank God for the good race," said Kimeli after his race.

Later on it would emerge that the Kenyan had launched an appeal against the 2017 world bronze medalist who had pipped him for third place, Chelimo, for allegedly stepping off the track. The appeal, however, did not go Kimeli's way.  

"With 300m to the bell, Chelimo shoved me in an attempt to take the innermost lane for the final sprint and in the process he stepped off the track. It felt it was not fair and it needed some looking into," said Kimeli. 

The 22-year old shifts his focus to the Diamond League (DL) as he prepares for upcoming championships which he will use to launch his attempt at dethroning Cheptegei and becoming the second Kenyan man to win gold in 5000m at the Olympics.

Kenya's only gold at the Games in the men's distance was won in 1988 by John Ngugi. Paul Bitok managed silver in 1992 and 1996. Eliud Kipchoge won bronze in 2004 and was beaten to gold by Kenenisa Bekele in 2008 as Edwin Soi settled for bronze. 

"I am now focusing on next year's Commonwealth Games but will take part in the DL for now. The next Olympics I am promising Kenyans to fight for gold," said the Patrick-sang coached athlete.