Mekhissi-Benabbad runs with dominant Kenyans

Ezekiel Kemboi regained his Olympic men's 3,000 meters steeplechase title on Sunday to extend Kenya's dominance in the race, while Frenchman Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad took his second-straight Olympic silver in event.

Kemboi, the 2004 champion, made the most of defending champion and compatriot Brimin Kipruto falling on the penultimate lap to sprint clear and win in eight minutes, 18.56 seconds.

Kipruto recovered from his fall to finish fifth, while Mekhissi-Benabbad whose parent immigrated from Algeria, grabbed the silver and Kenya's Abel Mutai won bronze. Mekhissi-Benabbad also won silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, becoming the first non-Kenyan in two dozen years to finish so well in the Olympic steeplechase.

Mekhissi-Benabbad, who also won bronze at last year's world championships, was the fastest qualifier for the final, running 8.16.23 to win the opening heat.

Kenya have won men's steeplechase gold at every Games since 1984.