20 Facts About Paul Chelimo

Paul Chelimo is the 2016 Olympic silver medalist and the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist in the 5000 meters and is known for his success at the highest level of athletics and controversial racing tactics.

Later that year, Shorter won the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship as Paul Chelimo won the 5000 meters and 10000 meters at the championships.

Paul Chelimo transferred to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, taking 2nd place in the 2012 NCAA Championships 5000 meters and repeated the place in 2013.

Paul Chelimo found his path to US citizenship by joining the United States Army through the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program as a water treatment specialist, then entering their World Class Athletic Program in 2014.

Paul Chelimo represented the United States in the 3000 meters at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships held in Portland, Oregon.

Again, Paul Chelimo led the last lap charge to run down Rupp, and after catching him, Paul Chelimo held the lead onto the final straightaway.

Paul Chelimo was eventually run down by the sprint finish of 41-year-old Kenyan American Bernard Lagat, followed closely by Hassan Mead.

Paul Chelimo ran a personal best 13:19.54 in the prelim of the 5000 metres at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

When Farah launched his final kick to win the race, Paul Chelimo was the last to follow Farah, looking, for a few moments at the head of the final stretch, like he would be the only one able to outsprint Farah to the line.

Farah pulled away and Paul Chelimo followed him across the finish line.

Paul Chelimo had exchanged elbows with both of them during the final turn.

Paul Chelimo set a new personal best of 13:03.90 in the race.

Paul Chelimo's medal was the first for the US in the event since Bob Schul and Bill Dellinger in the 1964 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo.

Paul Chelimo participated in the 3000m of the 2018 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Paul Chelimo won the race with a time of 7:57.88, thereby qualifying for the 2018 World Championships.

In June, Paul Chelimo won his second outdoor US title in the 5000m at the 2018 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and, later that summer, won the London Diamond League at the 5000m distance.

Paul Chelimo won his third US outdoor title in the 5000m in a dramatic three-man sprint finish where he controversially drifted to lane four to prevent his competitors from overtaking him.

Paul Chelimo dedicated the performance to his brother, who suddenly died earlier in the year.

At the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Paul Chelimo placed 15th in the 5000m.

Paul Chelimo competed in his first marathon at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials in hopes of qualifying for his third Olympics.