Who can beat Faith Kipyegon? Olympic champion in the 1,500 meters in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021, double world champion in the distance (2017, 2022) and world record holder in the mile (1,609.34 meters), 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters… The Kenyan crushes the middle distance with her sharp stride. At the 2023 World Athletics Championships, the 29-year-old sportswoman will spice up the debates. She will not covet one, but two crowns.
“The 1,500 meters is still my favorite event but I’m doing very well in the 5,000 meters. I will therefore double the tests in Budapest ”revealed the double Olympic champion in a World Athletics press release. She will thus be at the start of the 1,500 meter final on Tuesday August 22 at 9:30 p.m.; that of the 5,000 being scheduled for Saturday August 26, at 8:50 p.m.
The pass of two has never been achieved yet but it seems within reach of the Kenyan, who has not left the podium in her races since October 2019. The formidable Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who had broken her teeth on the same double in Eugene (United States) last year, no longer seems able to stand up to him. Faith Kipyegon now only fights against herself.
Three world records
She has demonstrated her supremacy this season. In the space of eight days, she swept the references of the Ethiopians Genzebe Dibaba, over 1,500 meters, in Florence (Italy) – 3 min 49 s 11 – and of Letesenbet Gidey over 5,000 meters, in Paris – 14 min 5 s 20. A distance she hadn’t run in eight years. “I started out telling myself that I just wanted to improve my personal best and embark on a new challenge. I still can not believe it ! », she assured the Worldstunned, in the corridors of the Charléty stadium, on June 10.
2 months later, the scenario repeated itself in Monaco. Helped by the wave light – a luminous marker on the edge of the track which provides information on the pace to adopt – the Kenyan pulverized the old world record for the mile, previously owned by the Dutch Sifan Hassan. THE mile, British heritage, is not on the program of the World Championships in Budapest, but the feat confirms its outrageous domination. ” She can run so fast! She is impressive. She’s making my job particularly difficult right now. “, abounds Laura Muir, Olympic vice-champion of the 1500 m in Tokyo.
“One day run the marathon”
Records and medals in hand, one could legitimately wonder what still makes Faith Kipyegon run. “Seize more records!” I can see myself pushing to the marathon”, immediately responds the interested party from the height of his meter fifty-seven. In terms of versatility, the young woman has something to draw inspiration from: she trains with Patrick Sang at the Kaptagat center (Kenya) alongside Eliud Kipchoge, world marathon record holder and former world champion in 5 000 meters. A reference. “She has a similar attitude towards life and racing as Eliud. I was really impressed (…). She never complains. She does the work”explained Mr. Sang to Agence France-Presse.
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