Chebet and Kipyegon: Kenyan Queens of the Track Make Olympic History in Paris

Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon have solidified their places in athletics history with remarkable triumphs at the Paris Olympics, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Beatrice Chebet’s Historic Double Gold

Beatrice Chebet’s journey to double Olympic gold in Paris has been nothing short of extraordinary. With dominant performances in the women’s long-distance races, Chebet clinched the 5,000m Olympic title in 14:58.26 and the 10,000m in 30:43.25. This achievement marks her as the third woman ever, following in the footsteps of Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, to win both titles at the Olympics.

Chebet attributes her success to the motivation gained from her record-breaking feats earlier in the year. She reflected, “I ended last year with the world record in the 5km road race, after which I went on to defend my World Cross Country title. Breaking the world record also pushed me to perform exceedingly well in Paris.”

Indeed, Chebet’s rise has been meteoric. On December 31, she shattered the women’s 5km road race record at the Cursa dels Nassos Road race in Barcelona, Spain, posting an impressive time of 14:13, surpassing the previous record held by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi. In March, she continued her winning streak by defending her World Cross Country title in Belgrade, Serbia, with a time of 31:05, improving on her previous performance.

Chebet’s record-breaking momentum carried into the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on May 25, where she broke Letesenbet Gidey’s 10,000m world record by clocking 28:54.14, becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier. Despite these successes, Chebet humbly acknowledged the challenges she faced, stating, “I am happy being a double Olympic champion in my first Olympic appearance. It was not easy getting that gold medal, and I had to fight for it.”

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Upon her return to Kenya, Chebet expressed gratitude for the support she received from her family, fellow athletes, and the Kenyan government. She remarked, “I thank the government, the Ministry of Sports, NOCKK, AK, my family, friends, my fellow athletes, and coaches for their support and for believing in me.”

Faith Kipyegon’s Unparalleled 1,500m Legacy

Meanwhile, Faith Kipyegon’s victory in the 1,500m at the Paris Olympics has solidified her status as the greatest female 1,500m runner of all time. With this win, Kipyegon became the only athlete to secure three consecutive Olympic titles in the 1,500m, having won her first in Rio 2016, her second in Tokyo 2020, and now her third in Paris.

Kipyegon’s journey was not without its challenges. Despite the physical and emotional toll of the 5,000m event, where she won a silver medal only to be later disqualified, Kipyegon demonstrated resilience and strength. She stated, “The 5,000m took a lot of energy from me. Winning a silver medal and finding out you have been disqualified was emotional. I was surprised I was able to come back strong and defend my title in the 1,500m.”

Kipyegon’s triumph in Paris was marked by a new Olympic record, as she clocked 3:51.29, surpassing her previous record of 3:53.11 set in Tokyo. Reflecting on her achievement, Kipyegon noted, “It was a good feeling standing on the podium, knowing I am the greatest 1,500m female runner of all time. I know it will inspire a lot of young girls.”

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As Kipyegon prepares to return home and rest with her family, she remains a beacon of inspiration. Her focus on the future is clear: “I am going back home to be with my family and rest. From there, I will plan my next steps.”

With their historic achievements, both Chebet and Kipyegon have not only etched their names in the annals of athletics but also inspired countless young athletes worldwide.