Faith Kipyegon, the current world record holder in the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters categories, received a heroic welcome on Tuesday, June 13, in recognition of her exceptional performance at the Paris Diamond League.
Kipyegon, who shattered two world records in a span of one week, arrived in the country aboard the KAF 304 jet, often used by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for official assignments. Accompanied by her family members, she was warmly received by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
"The CS received 1,500M and 5,000M World Record holder Faith Kipyegon when she jetted back to the country, this morning.
"Namwamba reiterates his ministry's commitment to honour and reward Kenya's sportsmen and women, who he says are the goose that lay the golden egg, and the number one branding assets for the country," read the statement in part.
Kipyegon comes back home in the form of her life. During the Florence Diamond League on June 10, she achieved an astonishing feat by setting a new world record in the 1,500 meters race after clocking an impressive 3:49.11, surpassing the previous record of 3:50.07 set by Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba in 2015.
Remarkably, just one week later, Kipyegon picked up where she left off by establishing a new world record in the 5,000 meters category. With incredible determination, she clocked an impressive 14:05.20, smashing the previous record of 14:06.65 held by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey.
"I do not know how I made it. Throughout the race, I was relaxed. I focused on the green light and and enjoying the race. After I crossed the finish line, I was so surprised when I saw that it was a world record,"
"It was all about giving my best as I wanted to improve on my (personal best). The world record was not my plan. I just ran after Gidey. She is an amazing lady. It is amazing," said an overwhelmed Kipyegon.
Upon her arrival, Kipyegon was scheduled to meet Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at State House, Nairobi. Initially, the plan was for the world record breaker to be received by the Deputy President at the airport. However, the meeting arrangements were altered. The Deputy President’s office did not immediately communicate the reasons for the change.
In August 2021, the Ministry of Sports came under sharp criticism after government officials failed to receive legendary athlete Eliud Kipchoge.
At the time, Kipchoge had won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, two years after being the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon, clocking 1:59:40 in Vienna.
