Faith Kipyegon, a Kenyan star and a four-time world champion, 1500 M World Record and a two-time Olympic champion has had a remarkable year by breaking her record just weeks ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics slated for 26th July.
Kipyegon has had outstanding two consecutive seasons in the world athletic arena. In 2023, she achieved a remarkable feat by breaking three world track records in three events in 50 days, just after a sabbatical leave.
In what saw her name hit the headlines, the 29-year-old broke the women's 1,500 m world record at the Diamond League in Italy, she bagged another 5,000 m world record a week later in Paris in France.
In a continuous record spree, she later in the season, at the 2023 World Athletics Championship held in Budapest, Hungary, recorded a historic event by triumphing in 1,500m and 5,000m events.
She cemented her legacy by becoming the first woman ever to win a double at the global spectacle in Budapest. Wrapping up her incredible year, Faith was crowned as the World Athlete of the Year for 2023.
In June 2024, at the 2024 Kenyan Olympic Trials In Nairobi, Kipyegon won both the 1500m and 5000m, in times of 3:53.99 and 14:46.28, respectively.
On 7 July 2024, in Paris, she broke her 1500m world record by running 3:49.04.
But how is she prepared for the Paris Olympics 2024?
"I'm looking forward to participating and to be in the stadium in Paris especially going there to defend my 1,500m title and make another history."
The world record holder is inspired by Nancy Chebet who won a gold medal in Beijing in 2008 and historic home celebrations due to her remarkable achievement.
Giving an account on the same, Chebet expressed her excitement of being an inspiration to some of the Kenyan athletes who have consistently performed exceptionally.
"Faith was in my celebrations, that motivated her to work hard and she realized she could make it."
Early Life
Like most Kenyan athletes, Kipyegon's athletic career started organically in Keringet, Nakuru county. Her elder sister Beatrice Mutai hosted her so that she could live near a youth training camp in Nakuru.
Kenya has seen the evolution of a consistent athlete who has inspired many. Kipyegon's journey began after bagging her first prize in Ndalaat Cross Country.
She is a unique athlete who has tremendously done well in both track and cross country. A lot of athletes stick to either track or cross country. Faith stuck to both and subsequently excelled in both of them.
Nancy and Kipyegon are the only Kenyan women who have won the 1,500m Olympic gold titles. On the other hand, Vivian Cheruiyot is the only Kenyan woman who has won an Olympic title in a distance longer than 1,500m on the track, an achievement that Kipyegon eyeing ahead of Paris.
"Somebody who inspires me, other than Nancy, is my role model Vivian Cheruiyot. I know that I am capable of breaking Vivian's record."
Chebet who first met Kipyegon in 2011 in Polideprotivo Cross Country in Colombia, described her as a superhuman, focused, and disciplined girl.
What motivates her most is the results that her sacrifice and hard work bear. So many female athletes aspire to be like her.
The best to Faith Kipyegon is the 2024 Paris Olympics slated for 26th July.
