Although she has been to three different editions of the Olympics and competed at the World Athletics Championships on five different occasions, Faith Kipyegon, the triple Olympics 1,500 metres champion, still gets excited about representing Kenya.
Such was the case on July 25 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi when she was named in the Kenyan team that will compete in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo across September 13-23.
“I’m so excited to be a nominee for the Top 40 Under 40 award. It shows that what I have been doing in my career has touched and inspired many, especially young mothers,” the 31 year-old said.
She is the only athlete to have won three Olympic titles in women’s 1,500m race: in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, 2020 in Tokyo, and last year in Paris.
"Athletics puts food on the table for me. Apart from feeding me, athletics gives me an opportunity to represent my country."
She is also the reigning world 1,500m and 5,000m champion, and will compete in the two disciplines at the Championships next month.
On June 26, Kipyegon took part in ‘Breaking4’ Project by Nike in which she attempted to become the first woman to run the Mile (1,600m) in under four minutes. She timed 4:06.42.
She epitomises longevity in athletics, having been active at the top for more than 10 years. It has taken discipline and dedication, she explains.
“Athletics puts food on the table for me. Apart from feeding me, athletics gives me an opportunity to represent my country.”
Kipyegon says the ‘Breaking4’ Project “has really inspired many young girls and women to achieve more in life. I’m setting up a Foundation that will benefit women so that they can also be motivated…. With a little boost, they can be better in the society.”
-Bernard Rotich