Kenya's Beatrice Chebet shattered the women's 10,000m world record with a stunning victory in 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday. Chebet, a two-time world championships medallist at 5,000m and a cross-country world champion, surpassed the previous record of 29:01.03 set by Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey in June 2021.

In a race that doubled as Kenya's Olympic qualifier, Chebet emerged as a strong contender for gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Benefiting from the supportive crowd, ideal weather conditions, three pacemakers, and the Hayward Field track's innovative "wavelight" pace-setting technology, Chebet became the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m.

Initially, the race was touted as a world record attempt by Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay, who had set the 5,000m world record at the same venue during the Diamond League finals in September. Chebet, participating in her first elite 10,000m race outside Kenya, did not have the world record in her sights initially but decided to keep pace with Tsegay.

For most of the race, Chebet stayed close to Tsegay, executing a perfectly timed final move on the 22nd of 25 laps. She surged ahead effortlessly in the last lap, with Tsegay finishing second in 29:05.92—the third-fastest time ever. "When I go for the last two laps, I just get motivated, I say, 'Let me push the last 400,'" Chebet said, drawing confidence from her previous cross-country successes.

Chebet plans to aim for a 5,000m-10,000m double at the Paris Olympics. "For me, I am happy, to be the first time on the Olympic team," she said. "With good health, I know I am going to medal at the Olympics." Kenya's Lilian Rengeruk secured third place with a time of 29:26.89, also earning a spot at the Paris Olympics.