Yet Chebet, chatting to reporters, felt that Kipyegon would be reinstated following her clash with Tsegay.
“It wasn’t Faith’s fault,” she said.
“I was behind them and Faith was in the inside lane. Gudaf tried to get into Faith’s lane.
“Faith had to use her hand to tell Gudaf ‘Don’t push me’. It wasn’t Faith’s fault, she lost her balance and tried to avoid stepping out of the track.”
And, almost two hours after the race had finished, Kipyegon was reinstated in silver medal position, bumping Hassan back down to third as a World Athletics jury ruled the incident did not warrant a disqualification.
However, Kipyegon has been issued with a disciplinary yellow card which she will carry for the rest of the Games.
Hassan, who is also competing in the 10,000m and marathon at these Olympics, accepted the outcome of the appeal.
“I am really happy that Faith gets her medal back,” the Dutch athlete said.
“I don’t really feel like I really deserved the silver. I don’t wish for medals I did not win.
“I love my bronze medal, it doesn’t matter to me what medal I get or position I finish as long as there is fairness”.
Kipyegon will now quickly need to refocus on her bid to win a third consecutive Olympic gold in the women’s 1500m.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to return to the track on Tuesday morning in the second of of three heats in round one.
“I wanted to run both races because I like it,” Kipyegon said.
“This is my first time doubling at the Olympics. I step on the track and just run my race, we will see what is possible.”
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