PuraVida Sports

By Elias Makori at the Stade Charlety, Paris

While there’s no love lost between Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet on the track, away from the running shorts and singlets, the two stars cannot hide their mutual respect for one another.

At last year’s Paris Olympic Games, Kipyegon was angling for double gold in the 1,500 metre and 5,000 metres races, while Chebet targeted a 5,000m/10,000m double at the Stade de France.

But despite having completed an unprecedented 1,500m hat-trick from the Rio de Janeiro (2016), Tokyo (2021) and Paris (2024) Olympics, at the end of the Games Kipyegon played second fiddle to the petit Chebet who rounded off a 5,000m/10,000m double, the first by a Kenyan woman in Olympic history.

Kipyegon was inconsolable at the Stade de France when she was initially disqualified for allegedly pushing Ethiopian nemesis Gudaf Tsegay, a decision that was later rescinded through a spirited Kenyan appeal after which Kipyegon settled for the silver in the final behind Chebet.

After that memorable final, Kipyegon took a nap and battled to get into the right frame of mind for her next assignment, the dramatic race having been won by her heir-apparent and world 10,000 metres record holder Chebet with Ethiopia-born Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan third.

In that final at the iconic Stade de France, Chebet stunned the decorated Kipyegon with 50 metres to go, outsprinting the multiple World and Olympic champion to bag Kenya’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a time of 14 minutes, 28.56 seconds.

Chebet, from Londiani in Kericho County, also holds the 10,000m world record at 28 minutes, 54.14 seconds that she set at the Eugene Diamond League meeting in USA in May last year.

Kipyegon’s Olympic silver medal cancelled, then reinstated

But moments after the bruising final, and as Kipyegon was going through the media mixed zone for post-race interviews, news filtered through that her medal had cancelled for “obstructing” Ethiopian nemesis Tsegay.

Kipyegon broke down, was devastated, cut short the media interviews and was escorted away, still draped in the Kenyan flag, by Team Kenya Press Attache Lynne Wachira.

Immediately, Kenya’s officials paid the mandatory $100 (Sh13,000) appeal fee and launched a protest with the competitions’ Jury of Appeal taking over one and a half hours to deliberate on the incident before releasing a statement at 11.16pm – two hours and one minute after the race’s 9.15pm blast off – indicating they had rescinded the decision to disqualify the Kenyan star and reinstated her silver medal.

Sifan, who shares the same management at Kipyegon (Netherlands-based Global Sports Communication) also rallied behind the Kenyan star, saying she deserved the silver.

“I am really happy that Faith will have her medal back. These two (Chebet and Kipyegon) are phenomenal. Faith deserved her silver medal and to me it doesn’t matter,” Sifan remarked at the time.

“It was very hard for me but you need to accept the outcome… I just went to the Athletes’ Village and took a nap, because I knew I have another day today and another distance so I had to wake up strong and look forward,” Kipyegon reacted.

“I was not disappointed… I thank Kenyans for their support and for their prayers and we keep fighting to the finish line of the 1,500m.”

Chebet, Safaricom rallying behind Kipyegon in Breaking4 challenge

And like all Kenyans who are rallying behind Kipyegon under the Safaricom-powered #Kenya4Faith rallying call, Chebet too can’t wait to see Kipyegon dip under four minutes in the mile on Thursday next week at a record-breaking attempt branded ‘Breaking4’ by its architects, American sportswear manufacturer, Nike.

“I just want to say all the best to my sister Faith as she goes for the sub-four minute mile run,” Chebet said in a passionate message to her compatriot ahead of Thursday’s Paris adventure.

“I know you are the best, and I hope you go out there and do the best… I wish you all the best! I want you to go for it. Everyone is watching you and you are a mentor to many.

“As one of the athletes inspired by you, I know you are going to do the best. I wish you all the best. I wish you good health and may your dream come true.”

Chebet is herself preparing to travel to the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, USA, on July 5 where she will target to break the 5,000m world record currently held at 14:00.21 by Gudaf, hoping to be the first woman to dip under 14 minutes in the 12-and-a-half-laps race.

Kipyegon’s Paris run will be live on YouTube with Kenya’s leading mobile telephone service provider Safaricom offering a 4GB bundle at 4 shillings to keep Kenyans glued on the triple Olympic champions race to glory.

“On 26^th June, Faith Kipyegon will take on the incredible challenge of breaking the 4-minute mile world record – LIVE! Tuko Pamoja na Faith and we’re calling on all Kenyans and fans around the world to rally behind her as she chases greatness. #Kenya4Faith,” Safaricom posted on their socials this week.

Chebet vs Kipyegon head-to-head

In their 5,000m head-to-head record, Kipyegon leads Chebet 2-1.

Kipyegon won the 5,000m gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in 14:53.88 with Chebet settling for bronze in 14:54.33.

At last year’s Olympic trials at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kipyegon again prevailed, winning in 14:46.28 with Chebet second in 14:52.55.

It was at the biggest stage of them all – the Paris Olympic Games – that Chebet exacted revenge on Kipyegon, winning the gold in 14:29.60 with Kipyegon settling for silver in 14:28.56 on August 5 last year at the Stade de France.

But Chebet has always considered Kipyegon her mentor.

“We believe in you and we wish you good health and God’s blessings,” she concluded her message to Kipyegon, words that will certainly motivate the three-time Olympic champion who is running under the Netherlands-based Global Sports Communications banner, a stable that also houses sub-two-hour marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

Kipchoge is expected to be near the finish line on Thursday, something that gives Kipyegon the extra push.

“It will be so, so great and lovely to see Eliud after the finish line. I will feel great if I get to the finish line and see its under four minutes… it will be historical because having someone like Eliud who has tried an attempt like this before at the finish line, and my family, and in front of all my fans that we have achieved what many people think is impossible… It will be really special for me,” Kipyegon reacted.

“Eliud has inspired me a lot and I think these remaining days will be OK if I stay healthy and to just think of what will happen next week. For me is just to focus myself.”

Eager to inspire the next generation

Reflecting on next Thursday’s huge challenge, Kipyegon remains focused, eager to inspire, and mentor, young women across the globe.

“Breaking4 will cement my legacy. It will give hope to the next generation and for women to believe that we can expand our boundaries and dream big and just believe in ourselves that we can do it… it will cement my legacy and give hope to other women that everything is possible,” the 31-year-old mother of a daughter, Alyn, said in a pre-event media call this week.

The triple Olympic champion is excited that she will be returning to the Stade Charlety, the venue for two of her world record over the 5,000m (14:05.20 on June 9, 2023) and 1,500m (3:49.04 on July 7, 2024).

“I have positive memories of Paris, breaking the 5,000m world record and 1,500m world record there, and now we are going for the special one… and so I think the track will offer good results next week and I hope to see my fans over there!”

She will be banking on her legion of Europe-based fans who will be converging on the Charlety for the four minutes of fame: “I know many Kenyans are there and my fans all over the world will be there, and I hope those who will not be there will be watching live, and I hope to get big support and cheers towards the finish line and just enjoy and give them a good result,” she reacted.

Details of the exact race timings and arrangement will be released closer to the run by Nike, with accredited media requested to have settled into the Charlety by 7pm local time (8pm Kenyan time) with the gates opening at 5.30pm and closing at 7pm, local time. 

(ENDS)