Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon has made history by becoming the first athlete ever to win three consecutive Olympic 1,500-meter gold medals. The 30-year-old champion set a new Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29 at the Stade de France in Paris. Australia’s Jessica Hull took silver while the UK’s Georgia Bell claimed bronze in the event.
Kipyegon’s victory solidifies her status as one of the greatest women’s middle-distance runners in history, having also won three gold medals in the same distance at the World Athletics Championships. She was able to outpace her competitors, including letting Gudaf Tsegay set the early pace before making her move to take the lead and ultimately claim gold.
In her home country of Kenya, Kipyegon is known as the “Queen of 1,500 meters” and has expressed her desire to inspire young girls to take up the sport of running. Her journey began in the challenging terrain of Rift Valley, where she ran barefoot to school as a child. Despite facing obstacles and taking a break from competition due to motherhood, Kipyegon’s determination and the support of her daughter Alyn helped her make a successful comeback to the track.
Kipyegon’s remarkable achievements in the sport of running have not only made her a household name in Kenya but have also solidified her legacy as a dominant force in middle-distance running on the global stage. She continues to inspire others with her grit and passion for the sport.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com