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Jelimo, an 18-year-old police officer beat compatriot and reigning women's 800m world champion Janeth Jepkosgei to clinch the gold medal in a fast-paced final which saw the Kenyans execute a 1-2 finish.
Jelimo, a pre-race favourite who only switched to 800m in April, took gold in 1 minute, 54.87 - a world junior record.
Jepkosgei, who snatched gold at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, settled for silver in 1:56.07 and Hasna Benhassi of Morocco was third in 1:56.73.
Three-time world champion and Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist Maria Mutola of Mozambique finished fifth in 1:57.68 in her fourth and last Olympics.
A few minutes earlier, Brimin Kipruto continued Kenya's domination of the men's 3000m Steeplechase, which stretches back to 1984, winning the race in 8 minutes, 10.24, followed by Frenchman Maheidine Mekhissi-Benabbad who clocked 8:10.49.
Kenyans, glued to the television in their homes, work places, restaurants and pubs, "blamed" Benabbad for splitting up what would have been a Kenyan clean sweep.
Another Kenyan bigwig, Richard Matelong, settled for bronze in 8:11.01.Kipruto, a 2004 Athens Olympics silver medallist, upstaged compatriot and Athens Olympics
gold medallist Ezekiel Kemboi, who was pushed to the seventh position.
The East Africans have won every (men's) Olympic steeplechase event since 1984.
In Nairobi, thousands took short breaks from work and other chores, rushed to the nearest television sets, to follow the proceedings in Beijing.
As the Kenyans raced towards the finish line in their respective races, with medals in sight, sports lovers here sang, punched the air and cheered the runners on in different settings - markets, street corners, offices, restaurants and pubs.
"The Ethiopians did a 1-2 Sunday in the men's 10,000m final and today was our turn to do the same, we executed a 1-2 in the women's 800m final," said Peter Onya n go.
He was referring to Kenya's neighbours and perennial athletics rivals - Ethiopia - who snatched gold and silver medals in the 10,000m Sunday.
Athletics megastar, Kenenisa Bekele, and veteran Haile Gebrselassie won gold and silver medals respectively in the event that saw Kenyans Moses Masai and Micah Kogo land joint bronze medals after posting identical times
Kenya, one of the top middle and long distance athletics powerhouses in the world, has bagged seven medals so far.
The medalists are - gold - Brimin Kipruto (3000m steeplechase men), Pamela Jelim o (800m, women).
Silver - Catherine Ndereba (marathon, women), Janeth Jepkosgei (800m, women), Eu nice Jepkorir (3000m Steeplechase, women), Richard Matelong (3000m Steeplechase, men)and the joint bronze wone by Luka Kogo and Moses Masai in the men's 10,000m final. |
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