PARIS, France - Eastern Kentucky University alum and former national champion Ahmed Jaziri competed in Round 1 of the men's 3000m Steeplechase on Monday afternoon for his home country of Tunisia in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

With 36 athletes split into three heats of 12, Jaziri competed in Heat 1 with competition including defending Olympic and World champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco. The top five finishers of each heat automatically advanced to the final. 

Starting off the race near the back, Jaziri kept pace with the lead pack, gradually moving his way forward as he found himself in fourth as the bell to signal the final lap sounded.

In a dead heat for the final two automatic qualifying spots over the final hurdle, the former Colonel fended off a late charge from sixth-place finisher Amos Serem of Kenya to finish fifth with a time of 8:18.33 - a season-best - and punch his ticket to the final.

The final is scheduled for Wednesday, August 7 at 3:40 ET on NBC and Peacock.

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