Paul Chelimo, who won the first medal for the US in the men’s 5,000 meters since 1964 by finishing in the silver medal position, was briefly disqualified from the race for breaking rule 163.3(b), which is infringement of the inside border. But upon appeal, the disqualification was overturned, and Chelimo did indeed get to keep his silver medal.
Paul Chelimo disqualified, then reinstated to earn silver medal in 5000m
The US athlete was disqualified, but upon appeal his second-place finish was reinstated.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Had Chelimo’s disqualification been upheld, 41-year-old Bernard Lagat would have won bronze, though not in the way he wanted.
Bernard Lagat "To disqualify people when they didn't gain an advantage is not the right spirit. I like to know I earned my medal". #Rio2016
— Ade Adedoyin (@ade_adedoyin) August 21, 2016
Mo Farah won the race in 13:03, while Chelimo had run 13:03.90 to finish in the silver medal position.
Chelimo ran the race of his life to win the silver medal, but it was nearly taken away because of a mini-tussle in the final stages of the race. Chelimo qualified for the Olympic Team thanks to a third place finish at the Olympic Trials. He became a US citizen after joining the US Army World Class Athletic Program in 2014.
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