Olympic Track and Field 2016: Men's 3,000M Steeplechase Medal Winners, Results

Conseslus Kipruto continued Kenya's dominance in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase Wednesday at the 2016 Summer Olympics by beating out American Evan Jager by one second to take the gold.Kipruto's win gave Kenya gold in the event for the ninth consecutive Olympics, while Jager's medal was the first for Team USA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase since Brian Diemer earned bronze in 1984.Kenya's Ezekiel Kemboi rounded out the podium by taking bronze. Here is a rundown of the full finishing order:Kipruto also made history with his time of eight minutes and 3.28 seconds, which broke the Olympic record previously set by fellow Kenyan Julius Kariuki in 1988.Kemboi took gold in the event in two of the previous three Olympics, and Ben Kitilli of KTN News suggested that the 21-year-old Kipruto'svictory was a symbolic passing of the torch:While earning medals in the event for the eighth consecutive Olympic Games wasn't unexpected for Kenya, Jager's trip to the podium was.In addition to being the first American men's 3,000-meter steeplechase medalist since 1984, his finish was the best by an American at the Olympics in 64 years, according to ESPN Stats & Info:Jager's silver came after Emma Coburn won bronze in the women's steeplechase, and she congratulated her Team USA compatriot after the race:The Illinois native also received praise from 2012 Olympic silver medal-winning hurdler Jason Richardson:While the United States has a long history of success in Olympic track and field, especially in shorter-distance running, another steeplechase medal suggests Team USA is making gains in other areas.Kenya remains the country to beat in the steeplechase, however, and although Jager nearly ran down Kipruto in the latter stages of the race, there is still a significant gap to close.Add in the fact that Kipruto is just 21 years of age, and it could be a long time before anyone is able to knock Kenya from its perch in this event. Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
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