The winner at the previous Olympics has been the center of the story in women's distance running since 2019, Sifan Hassan.

She won the 2019 World Championships, was narrowly edged out to fourth in 2022 and fell down while leading just before the finish line in 2023.

The East African rivalry also includes Kenya, Hellen Obiri and Margaret Kipkemboi were silver and bronze in 2022.

Beatrice Chebet set the world record earlier this year and already won the 5000 by out-sprinting Faith Kipyegon and Hassan.

Tsegay and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk finished behind Chebet in that WR race, the fastest of the year.

At times the Kenyans tried forming what seemed like a Tour de France style protective wedge around Chebet, Rengeruk on the outside and Kipkemboi.

At the bell the three Kenyans were at the front, Chebet running wide, Battocletti sneaking up on the inside.

Fotyen Tesfay and Tsegay separated Hassan from the Kenyans while the Americans and Gebreselama were dropping off the back.

After sprinting 500 metres, dealing with getting past so many bodies, Hassan couldn't make up the gap and had to settle for bronze.