Paul Chelimo is in a class by himself.
Competing with a heavy heart, Chelimo did what he had to do to become the first American man to win multiple Olympic medals in the 5,000 meters. He gave all he had.
This ultimate triumph was the perfect complement to his Olympic silver medal from the 2016 Olympic games. Two Olympic medals. It wasn't easy. After his lean at the finish line, Chelimo was on the ground in a prone position for a few minutes.
His younger brother Albert, who died earlier this year, was on his mind during the entire race. Chelimo dedicated his medal to him following the race. His brother would have been proud.
"This is for my brother," Chelimo said to the Associated Press following the race. "It has been tough. I didn't expect to lose my brother this year, but things happen. Coming and getting a medal and being a double Olympic medalist, you don't get anything better than that."
Chelimo leaves Japan knowing he participated in the second-fastest 5,000-meter final in history.
Chelimo ran a personal best time of 12:59.05 to conclude his Olympic experience. He ran a smart and determined race. In distance-racing drama at its best, Chelimo held the lead with three laps remaining. He made a strong push during the final lap to help put himself in a position to leave with a medal.
It was a treat that nobody will forget especially in the way he achieved the accomplishment.
Chelimo jutted his body forward to cross the finish line in his final steps. It was inspiring as it was the ethos of the Spartan spirit coming to life. A worldwide audience witnessed the beauty of competition.
Heart. Grit. Determination. Resilience.
All of those wonderful traits are shining examples of the fierce, unbending indomitability of the human spirit.
"Getting the bronze today ... it's what I did," Chelimo said. "I worked hard to get that. The goal was just to get the medal so I went out there and the last two laps were crazy. I'm the person that I give 100 percent."
World-record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda captured the first Olympic gold medal of his career with a 12:58.15 win. Mohammed Ahmed of Canada earned the silver medal (12:58.61).
Chelimo will now set his sights on the USTFA World Championships in Eugene, Oregon from July 15-24. He won the United States Olympic Trials in his last visit to Oregon in June. He won the 5,000-meter run in 13:26.82.
For now, he will rest, recover, and refocus with purpose.
"I am going back to the drawing board," Chelimo said. "I am just going to pick it up from here going forward. Paul Chelimo is the name, running is the game, so I am always going to show up and medal, don't count me out."
It was the fastest 5,000-meter race Chelimo's ever run in his life. His performance on the world's biggest stage reminds everybody that dreaming big, sacrificing, working hard, and being mentally strong yields great rewards.
Chelimo heads back home satisfied with knowing he did his best.
After all, he worked hard in the dark so he could shine under the bright lights and seize the moment.
NOTES: Paul Chelimo wasn't just a great athlete at UNCG. He was also a great student and received two prestigious scholarships, The Aaron Bobb Scholarship and the Irwin Belk Athletic Scholarship. Both are awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate levels of academic performance surpassing University standards.
