Kipyegon set for Olympic double after breaking 1500m world record

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) AFP

Paris: Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon gave herself a timely Olympic boost by improving her own world record in the women’s 1,500m at the Diamond League meeting in Paris on Sunday.

Led by two pacemakers, Kipyegon took the lead and clocked 3:49.04 in a superb display of running at the Charlety Stadium.
She improved her previous record set in Florence in June 2023 by 0.07 seconds.

Kipyegon, 30, will return to Paris for the Summer Games as the heavy favourite. She is already a two-time Olympic 1,500m champion and also holds three world titles.

Last year at the World Championships in Budapest, she achieved the double by winning the 5,000m and the 1,500m. “It’s an incredible feeling to break the world record. I’m on track for the Paris Olympics,” Kipyegon said.

“I came back from a long way because of my injury and my recovery. After the trials, I knew I was in shape to break a world record. I achieved the fastest time in Kenya thanks to the altitude.

Kenyan Faith Kipyegon reacts after winning and breaking the world record in the women’s 1500m during the Diamond League “Meeting de Paris” athletics meeting at the Charlety stadium in Paris on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)

“It showed me that I was capable of breaking the world record again. We just tried, because anything is possible.”

Australia’s Jessica Hull broke the Oceania record in 3:50.83 for second place, while Britain’s Laura Muir completed the podium in a national record of 3:53.79, with the top eight athletes all setting personal bests.

“Jessica was really good. I felt like she was behind me and I had to be careful because you never know if something can happen. But I just relaxed and ran my race,” Kipyegon said.

“I knew she was strong because she broke the regional record many times. The crowd was really happy, that’s why the energy was so strong, it really pushes us towards the finish line.

“With my injury, I was really scared because I didn’t know if I was going to make it. But I took my time, I trusted my team and I stayed out of the competition for a long time.

“I will absolutely do the double in Paris, in the 1500m and 5000m!”

Muir said she “felt” Kipyegon was going to break the record.

“The Olympics are coming up soon, so I’m really happy and excited. I knew I was in this shape. I knew I was in a good position, but I had to run my own race. I’d never run under 3:54 before, so it was amazing,” Muir said.

“We are not surprised,” she said of Kipyegon’s efforts.

“This is my fourth race with Faith where she has broken the world record and it’s incredible to be a part of it. She’s able to do something we’ve never seen before and it’s pushing us all to run fast times as well.”

Given the competition in the event, Muir added: “To win an Olympic medal, you’re going to need a very fast time. It’s going to be very, very tough.”

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