In 2016, Kipketer excelled at the 800m winning the Kenyan trials and multiple IAAF Diamond League meeting. Going into the Rio Olympics 800m, Kipketer was one of the favorites aside from his countryman and defending Olympic champion David Rudisha. Kipketer made it into the 2016 Summer Olympics final. Kipketer lead the race through 400m but having gone out at world record pace, only finished in 7th place. Two weeks after the Olympics, Kipketer set his new personal best in 800m in 1:42.87 to win the Paris Diamond League race.