Former Olympic 800m champion Wilfred Bungei has voiced strong support for Faith Kipyegon to win the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award this year.
Bungei, who claimed gold in the 800m at the 2008 Olympics, believes Kipyegon’s remarkable consistency and dominance in middle-distance running make her a deserving candidate for the honor. As a formidable force in both the 1500m and 5000m, Kipyegon has consistently demonstrated excellence on the track.
“She is a modern athlete; she is on fire 365 days a year, very disciplined, and always working hard to improve herself. That is why she is successful any time she competes,” Bungei remarked.
He emphasized that Kipyegon serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, and winning the award would cement her legacy as one of the greatest in her field.
“She has been very consistent in her races; she keeps improving every day and had a successful year. That is why she deserves the award because she is also a role model to many in the world.”
Currently holding the world record for the 1500m, Kipyegon has maintained her dominance in the Diamond League circuit, consistently delivering outstanding performances. At 31 years old, she is aiming to become the first Kenyan athlete to win the Laureus award in over a decade, with Vivian Cheruiyot last securing it in 2012.
She faces stiff competition from other top athletes, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan, tennis star Aryanna Sabalenka, and Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati, the latter having won the award last year.
At the June 2024 Kenyan Olympic Trials in Nairobi, Kipyegon secured victories in both the 1500m and 5000m, clocking 3:53.99 and 14:46.28, respectively. Just a month later, she shattered her own 1500m world record by seven hundredths of a second, running an impressive 3:49.04 at the Meeting de Paris.
Her dominance continued at the Paris Olympics, where she clinched gold in the 1500m, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29. In a commanding performance, she surged ahead of silver and bronze medalists Jessica Hull and Georgia Bell, winning by a margin of 1.27 seconds.
In September 2024, Kipyegon wrapped up her season by winning the 1500m at the Diamond League final in Brussels, setting a meeting record of 3:54.75.
With a record-breaking year and an unmatched level of consistency, Kipyegon has solidified her place as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history. Her achievements make her a strong contender for the Laureus World Sports Award, an accolade that would further recognize her excellence and inspire the next generation of athletes.
