South Africa has a new national record in the men’s 10,000m final after Adriaan Wildschutt smashed his own record in the event at the Paris Olympics on Friday night. 

Wildschutt crossed the finish line in 10th place in 26:50.54. His previous record was 26:55.54, which he set in California earlier this year. 

Gold was taken by Ugandan athlete Joshua Cheptegei, who also set up a new Olympic record of 26:43.14. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi edged American Grant Fisher by two hundredths of a second to take silver in 26:43.44.

In the 800m heats for women, South African medal hopeful Prudence Sekgodiso secured her place in the semifinals after finishing second in her heat in a time of 1:59.84.

Four national records broken

In the 4 x 400 mixed relay, the United States also broke their own world record in the opening heats, crossing the line in 3:07.41. They set the previous mark of 3:08.80 at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. In a blistering opening heat, four national records were broken (France, Belgium, Jamaica, and Switzerland) as well as the world mark.

France in second and Belgium in third qualified automatically, but thanks to fast times, Jamaica and Poland will also advance.

In the second heat, Britain advanced in a national record time of 3:10.61. Netherlands in second place and Italy in third will also go through.

Some of today’s track and field highlights include the men’s 100m heats, the men’s shot put final, the women’s 100m semifinals, the women’s triple jump final, and the 4 x 400m mixed relay final.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mvh