You can take this to the bank: It’s a Golden Day

IN RIO DE JANEIRO

There is great hope for Kenya to increase its medals tally at the Olympics Games on Wednesday when the men’s 3,000m steeplechase is run at 5.55pm on what should be a busy day for Kenyan athletes.

Before then, the men’s 5, 000m team and their compatriots in the women’s 800m team will begin their campaign before world javelin throw champion, Julius Yego, enters the fray.

But the main focus will be on the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final where the trio of Olympic and world champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, former Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and world silver medallist, Conseslus Kipruto, will be hoping to uphold Kenya’s long dominance in the event.

All three appeared to be in great shape as they booked their places in the finals on Monday evening. While a gold medal looks almost assured for Kenya, the three have hinted that they would be happy to attain a clean podium sweep.

“I’m happy to be in the final. I’m feeling good and we are all trying. About a clean sweep for Kenya that will be decided in the final,” said Kemboi, who broke no sweat in his semi final heat. Brimin Kipruto, a champion eight years ago in Beijing, China was more forthright in his assessment of Kenya’s chances.

“The competition is top class here but a clean sweep is a must for us in the final,” said Brimin, who qualified after finishing second to American Evan Jager. And while Conseslus said he would only do his talking on the track, anything short of a gold medal will be disaster for Kenya.

Kemboi is rightfully considered the big favourite in the race as he looks to retain the Olympics titles he won in London and in Athens twelve years ago.

But before, that world 5,000m silver medallist and Commonwealth champion, Caleb Mwangangi and Isaiah Kiplagat will be seeking qualification into the men’s 5,000m final where a meeting with defending champion, Mo Farah of Great Britain, awaits them.

Fresh from winning the 10,000m gold, the Briton is hopeful of a repeat of the 5,000m-10,000m double from London. But the Kenyans are desperate to break Farah’s long dominance.

800M WOMEN HEATS

Mwangangi, in particular, will be out to go one better than last year when he finished second to Farah at the World Championships in Beijing, China.

Then at 5:11pm, former world champion, Eunice Sum will lead world junior champion Margaret Nyariera and Winnie Chebet in the women’s 800m heats with places in the semis at stake.

The last piece of action for Kenyans will come later in the night (Thursday at 2:3am - Kenyan time) when world javelin throw champion competes in the event’s qualification round.

After his monstrous throw of 92.72m that earned him the world championship last year in Beijing, Yego is considered top favourite and pressure will be on him to deliver yet again.