Kenya leapt to the top of the African Olympics medal table on Friday as African athletes grabbed all the medals in key track events.
Of the six medals for the men's 1500m and 3000m steeplechase finals, Kenya took four and Morocco two.
In the biggest shock of the day, favourite Hicham el Guerrouj of Morocco was beaten to the line by a quarter of a second by Kenyan Noah Ngeny in the 1500m race. Bernard Lagat of Kenya took the bronze medal.
There was also an upset in the steeplechase, in which the fancied Bernard Barmasai of Kenya ran fourth. Compatriots Reuben Kosgei and Wilso Boit Kipketer took gold and silver respectively, and Ali Ezzine of Morrocco was third.
Ngeny broke the Olympic 1500m record in 3 minutes 32.07 seconds. El Guerrouj made a time of 3:32.32s and Lagat 3:32.44s. Daniel Zegeye of Ethiopia came in sixth (3:36.78s) and Youssef Baba of Morocco 12th (3:56.08s).
Kenyans have dominated the steeplechase ever since 1968, winning the event in every games in which they have taken part. Kosgei made a time of 8 minutes 21.43 seconds, Kipketer 8:21.77s, and Ezzine 8:22.15s.
Brahim Boulami of Morocco was 7th in 8:24.32s and Laid Bessou of Algeria 11th in 8:33.07s.
Sydney Morning Herald: Silver cold comfort for El Guerrouj
Official Olympics site: Ngeny shocks El Guerrouj for 1500m gold
