The Men's 3000 metres steeplechase competition at the

2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

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. The event was held at the

Olympic Stadium ''Olympic Stadium'' is the name usually given to the main stadium of an Olympic Games. An Olympic stadium is the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. Many, though not all, of these venues actually contain the words ''Olympic Stadium'' as ...

on 3–5 August. The steeplechase has become a national event of Kenya. Their team tactics dominate major championship races. For the first 5 laps, they let others dominate the lead, primarily led by Americans Donald Cabral and

Evan Jager Evan Reese Jager (born March 8, 1989) is an American Long-distance running, distance Running, runner. He won the silver medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics, 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 201 ...

. Then the Kenyans decided to move as a team, leaving the field to chase. With less than 800 metres to go, Ugandan

Benjamin Kiplagat Benjamin Kiplagat (4 March 1989, Magoro, Bukwo, Uganda) is a Ugandan long-distance runner specializing in the 3000 metres steeplechase The 3000 metres steeplechase or 3000-meter steeplechase (usually abbreviated as ) is the most common distan ...

got tangled up on a barrier and fell flat on his face, the runners behind him having to scramble. 200 metres later, Kenyan

Brimin Kipruto Brimin Kipruto (born 31 July 1985) is a Kenyan professional middle distance runner who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He was born in Korkitony, Keiyo District. He holds a personal best of 7:53.64 minutes which is the ...

fell. Though he quickly scrambled to his feet, that effectively ruined the chances for a Kenyan sweep. Still the other two led through the final lap. Former gold medalist and multiple world champion

Ezekiel Kemboi Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi (born 25 May 1982) is a Kenyan professional athlete, winner of the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2004 Summer Olympics, the 2009 World Championships, the 2011 World Championships, the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 2013 W ...

pulled away off the front. As

Abel Mutai Abel Kiprop Mutai (born 2 October 1988) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He was born in Nandi. He won the gold medal at the 2005 World Youth Championships, a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Ol ...

began to falter,

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (born 15 March 1985) is a French professional middle-distance running, middle-distance runner of Algerian descent who mainly competes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He has won medals in major international competitio ...

sprinted past to repeat his silver medal. Kemboi's lead was secure and after clearing the final barrier, he began to celebrate, drifting out to lane 8 by the time he crossed the finish line. After the finish, Kemboi did the victory dance he has become known for. He and Mekhissi-Benabbad exchanged jerseys and the diminutive Kemboi leaped into the much larger Mekhissi-Benabbad's arms.

Competition format

The Men's 3000 m

steeplechase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

competition consists of heats (Round 1) and a Final.

Schedule

All times are

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)

Records

, the existing World and Olympic records were as follows. The following National records were set during this competition.

Results

Round 1

Qual. rule: first 4 of each heat (Q) plus the 3 fastest times (q) qualified.

Heat 1

Heat 2

Heat 3

Final

* Infringement of the inside border.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics - Men's 3000 metres steeplechase Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics Steeplechase at the Olympics Men's events at the 2012 Summer Olympics