The men's 3000 metres steeplechase event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 30 July and 2 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium.

That symbol of national pride placed a giant target on their back from every other country trying to win this event.

2021 looked like a good chance for Kenya's neighbor and distance running rival, Ethiopia, Lamecha Girma holding the number one and three of the top 5 times in the world coming into the Olympics.

True to form in most championships, the final started slowly with Ethiopians Girma and Getnet Wale controlling the pace from the front.

As they approached 3 laps to go, Girma made an effort to speed up the race, the field stringing out behind them, with only the two Ethiopians, the two Kenyans breaking away with Soufiane El Bakkali going on the back of the leaders for the ride.

Through the penultimate lap, both Kenyans showed signs of weakness, losing contact on the remaining three at the bell.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the period was suspended from 6 April 2020 to 30 November 2020, with the end date extended to 29 June 2021.