German Dieter Baumann hung on his shoulder as it looked like an early attempt to steal the race with a quick breakaway.

With four laps to go, after an exchange of Kenyan leaders, Burundi's Vénuste Niyongabo moved into second place, squeezing back Kennedy into third.

Kennedy led for the first 300 metres of the penultimate lap before Niyongabo passed him coming off the turn, followed by the designated kickers who had protected their interests at the back of the pack; Paul Bitok (Kenya), Khalid Boulami (Morocco) and Baumann.

But as one of the fastest 1500 meter runners in the world at the time, Niyongabo had the position and more speed, opening up a 5-metre gap on Boulami.

Nobody was able to make any progress except that Niyongabo slowed on the final straight to celebrate Burundi's first gold medal.