Paris 2024: Wanyonyi hoping to bring back 800m gold

Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi crosses the finish line to win the men's 800m heat. [AFP]

World silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal know they are carrying the weight of the nation after qualifying for the 800m semi-finals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The pair secured their spots into Friday’s semis after finishing among the top three in their respective heats inside the Stade de France.

While Wanyonyi comfortably claimed heat three in 1:44.64, Kinyamal bagged the third spot in heat five behind winner Great Briton’s Ben Pattison (1:45.56) and Edmund du Plessis of South Africa (1:45.73).

But their compatriot Koitatoi Kidali finished fifth in heat two with a time of 1:45.84 in a race won by France’s Gabriel Tual (1:43.13).

Kenyans have dominated the two-lap race at the Games over the years through the likes of Wilfred Bungei (Beijing 2008) world record holder David Rudisha (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and Emmanuel Korir (Tokyo 2020).

However, with defending champion Emmanuel Korir missing in action, Wanyonyi and Kinyamal have their work cut out to ensure they bring the title back to Kenya.

“We are under a little pressure but whatever comes our way, we will tackle it head on. But, first things first, we must go past the semis,” said Wanyonyi.

Kinyamal added: “We feel the pressure but we will work hard to ensure one of us clinches the title. This medal has been ours for the longest time and there is no way we are going to let it go.”

Meanwhile, Kenyan trio of world bronze medallist Jacob Krop, Edwin Kurgat and Ronald Kwemoi have qualified for the 5000m finals slated for Saturday.

The three athletes will now be aiming to reclaim the title that was last won by John Ngugi at the 1988 Seoul Games.