Global Sports Comunications
The Olympics are officially over but the amazing performances of our athletes and their medals are here to stay. At the end of a week of exhilarating competitions, Global Sports communications (GSC) athletes took home a total of 19 medals: 8 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
There were too many notable performances to account for, but chief among them was The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan’s attempt at winning three Olympic titles. Hassan battled incredible odds to win the first title over 5,000m in 14:36.79. Without much turnaround, she waged a worthy campaign in the 1,500, and on tired legs still got a spot on the podium with a Bronze. And finally, she returned to take the 10,000-metre Olympic title in 29:55.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon was impressive over 1,500m, in the final lap she pulled away to become double Olympic Champion. Coming back to defend an Olympic title is no easy feat, and Kipyegon did it with power and finesse, winning in an Olympic Record of 3:53.11.
In the women’s 10,000, although Hassan took the title, Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, world record holder in the event, ran a tough race leading most of the way. Ultimately, she would win the Bronze in 30:01.
Gidey’s male counterpart world record holder in the 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters, Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, took home the Olympic Gold in the 5,000 meters in a time of 12:58.15 after winning Silver in the men’s 10,000 meters.
Paul Chelimo of the U.S.A. fought hard down the final straight in the 5,000m, diving at the line to take the last podium spot.
One of the biggest surprise finishes in the distance races was Peruth Chemutai’s victory in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. Chemutai ran a national record of 9:01.45 and became Uganda’s first-ever Olympic champion in doing so. Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng also grabbed a Bronze medal in the race.
In the throws, Chinese superstars Gong Lijiao and Liu Shiying shone as well. Lijiao won Gold in the shot put with a throw of 20.58 meters, setting a personal best. Shiying also took the title in the Javelin throw with a season’s best of 66.34.
Rounding out the medal count on the track were The Netherlands Terrence Agard and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, who took home silver and bronze, respectively, in the 4X400 meter relay.
Last, but most definitely not least, the men’s Olympic marathon. It proved to be an exciting race and great success. The Kenyan legend, Eliud Kipchoge, defended his Olympic title by winning Gold in an impressive 2:08:38. As he so often does, he commanded the field and took control with 30k to go to secure his win. He holds two of the five fastest times ever recorded in the Olympic marathon.
The Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye ran one of the best races of his career to finish second behind Kipchoge and win his first Olympic Medal. Both men bring medals and pride home to their countries and brought the Olympic competitions to a great close.
Jos Hermens CEO: “The preparations for these Olympic games have been difficult for all athletes. Due to COVID-19, options for competitions and for training camps were limited and travel was restricted. Therefore, I am impressed by the results of our group of athletes and how they have been able to prepare and be on top of their game in these special times. I am proud of the 19 medals our group has won. It is a great reward for all the hard work and support everyone within Global Sports Communication puts in the guidance of these sport stars. With these results we can continue building on great new sport moments in the future. Medals are not the only measure of success. Several athletes who did not achieve their ultimate dreams have set themselves up for future success in the sport at the highest level. Now, they look forward to Paris 2024!”
