Kenneth Rooks Claims Silver in Steeplechase at Paris Olympics

A thrilling moment unfolded at the Stade de France as Kenneth Rooks, a fresh face in Olympic athletics, took home the silver medal in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.

The 24-year-old athlete, hailing from Walla Walla, Washington, clocked in a remarkable time of 8:06.41, narrowly missing out on the gold medal by just 0.36 seconds behind Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali.

Rooks made a bold move in the final lap, surging ahead of the pack with 400 meters to go, which had everyone on the edge of their seats. It was only in the final moments that Bakkali managed to pull ahead, securing his second consecutive gold medal.

Reflecting on his race, Rooks opened up about the surreal feeling of leading, admitting, “It was an amazing feeling to take the lead that last lap and to just let loose and go for it.”

This performance places Rooks among the elite in U.S. steeplechasing history, now standing as the second-fastest American ever in the event, just behind Evan Jager.

Rooks’ journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. He finished 10th at the World Championships last year and gained significant recognition for his dramatic win at the U.S. Championships in 2023.

With this medal, Rooks continues to shine a light on American distance running, which is steadily becoming a force to reckon with in the Olympics.

During the race, there was a tense moment when reigning runner-up Lamecha Girma clipped a hurdle and fell, adding to the drama of the final.

Coached by Ed Eyestone at BYU, Rooks balanced his academic and athletic commitments while serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 2019 to 2021.

The 3,000-meter steeplechase event features a grueling combination of speed and technique, with runners facing barriers and water jumps throughout the race.

So far at the Paris Olympics, Team USA has been showcasing strong performances, with medals in various events fueling the excitement for fans back home.