The 3rd Day of the Track and Field events opened up on a high note when 29 year old, Hyving Kiyeng won the third and final heat of the Women's 3000m steeplechase at 9:23:17. Kiyeng now firmly secures a slot in the finals that are set for Wednesday, 4th August at exactly 2p.m. Current 3000m World Champ, Beatrice Chepkoech also qualified for the finals after finishing 3rd in the second heat with a time of 9:19:82.
After the safe passage to the final, Chepkoech also said she was hoping for the best in the final as the injury she has fought with throughout the year was still a problem.“I am happy to have reached the final and will be hoping that we will do well as a team. I am fighting an injury, but I promise to fight to the end,” She said. Kiyeng, who won heat three also promised to sit down with Chepkoech to ensure that the medals go to Kenya.“The heat was too much, but I am happy that I have qualified for the final,”she said.
A heavy cloud began looming when the 2014 Commonwealth Champion, Purity Kirui missed out on the finals after coming in 5th with a time of 9:30:13. “It was my first Olympics and even though I am disappointed not to qualify for the final, I am still happy to have raced at the Olympics. The heat was too much for me though,” Kirui said.
Kenya's sole representative in men's 400m, Emmanuel Korir was disqualified after a faulty start but all is not lost as he will later compete in the 800m semifinal together with Ferguson Rotich and Michael Saruni.
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