Women’s 1500: Kipyegon Upsets Dibaba, Jenny Simpson Wins Bronze in Rio
The world record holder was overtaken with 200 meters to go by this year’s fastest woman. Americans Jenny Simpson and Shannon Rowbury finished 3rd and 4th respectively.
By Scott Douglas, Runner's World
In the first real upset in a middle-distance or distance final of these Games, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon beat world record holder and reigning world champion Genzebe Dibaba with a strong move over the last 200 meters.
American Jenny Simpson moved into third on the backstretch and won the bronze medal, the first-ever Olympic medal by an American woman in the event. Shannon Rowbury, the other American in the field, also closed strongly and finished fourth.
Because of the extremely tactical nature of the race, Kipyegon’s winning time was 4:08.92, slower than the Olympic qualifying mark. Dibaba ran 4:10.27, and was almost overtaken by Simpson, who ran 4:10.53. Rowbury ran 4:11.05.
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