Pamela Jelimo looks to be unbeatable in Monday’s 800m final. © www.photorun.net

Monday could be Kenya’s best day at the Olympic Games in Beijing. That’s when the finals of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and the women’s 800m take place. Kenyans will have five athletes in the two finals, including the favorites for gold in both.

Kenyan men have a near lock on the Olympic steeplechase title, having won the event at every Games since 1984. All indications are that this streak will continue in Beijing. The defending champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, qualified in fourth place in his semi-final with 8:17.55, as did his compatriots Richard Mateelong (8:19.87) and Brimin Kipruto (8:23.53). The fastest time of 8:16.88 was achieved by the Ethiopian Yakob Jarso. “That’s just the qualifying round,” said Kemboi. “I’m rested and have something in reserve to be ready for the final.”

In her final season the 2000 Olympic champion Maria Mutola (Mozambique) reached the 800m final for the fifth time in six Olympics. The clear favorite, however, is from Kenya. Pamela Jelimo won her semi-final in 1:57.31, looking just as dominant as her compatriot, the defending world champion Janeth Jepkosgei, who won the third semi-final in 1:57.28.