TOKYO – Paul Chelimo cruised into the 5,000-meter final after finishing second in his heat during Tuesday's preliminaries at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
Competing in the second heat, the 2014 UNC Greensboro graduate who earned a degree in public health crossed the finish line in 13 minutes, 30.15 seconds. The top five runners in each heat plus the next five fastest advanced to the final, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6, at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
He had the second-fastest qualifying time in the event, putting him on track to duplicate his silver medal performance at 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Spain's Mohamed Katir, in 13:30.10, got a pat on the back from Chelimo as he crossed the line first in the heat.
Under a night sky and 80-degree temperatures, Chelimo ran a smooth and steady race that was contested at a brisk pace. All five qualifiers outside of the top five finishers in each heat came from the group of runners that Chelimo competed against.
He is the most decorated runner in UNCG history. A two-time national runner-up in the 5,000-meters in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships, he also was a three-time Southern Conference cross country champion.
Chelimo has made his mark on the world stage by winning the 2021 U.S. World Championships, earning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and capturing a bronze medal in the 2017 World Championships.
In his academic pursuits in the School of Health and Human Sciences, he excelled, graduating cum laude as he pursued his passion in public health, spurred by his experiences of seeing public health challenges as he grew up in Kenya. He later earned the inaugural Spirit of the Spartan Award. Chelimo's senior year culminated with an impactful internship as part of his public health program.
Through the Church World Services in Greensboro, Chelimo helped transport refugee clients to doctors' appointments and meetings with service providers. In work that was very meaningful for him, he was involved in translating, helping them get their groceries, and assisting them as they adapted to a new society.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.