Close rivals hail record breaking Faith Kipyegon's exploits in Florence

ATHLETICS Close rivals hail record breaking Faith Kipyegon's exploits in Florence

Abigael Wafula 05:30 - 06.06.2023

In the race that saw Kipyegon destroy the strong field to set a world record of 3:49.11, Muir finished a distant second in a time of 3:57.09.

Olympic 1500m silver medallist Laura Muir has lauded newly-crowned 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon.

Muir who has been Kipyegon’s closest challenger for the longest time said that Kipyegon deserves the honours since she has worked hard for it. The duo has competed together at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics among other events.  

“I’m so happy for Faith…she has worked so hard to get to that point. She deserves it,” Muir said.

In the race that saw Kipyegon destroy the strong field to set a world record of 3:49.11, Muir finished a distant second in a time of 3:57.09. Australia’s Jessica Hull sealed the podium after clocking 3:57.29.

Muir revealed that during the race on Friday 2, she tried keeping up with Kipyegon but the Kenyan was too fast for her.

“I feel I am in good shape but I’m not in 3:49 shape…I wanted to go with it (Kipyegon’s early pace) but I can say now that sticking with the World Record holder is going to be pretty tough

When you go through the first 800m so quickly it is always going to hurt. You are not going to be as strong finishing as you might be in a different type of race,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction towards her performance and noted that going forward, she will be keen to run more fast times.

Just like Kipyegon, the 30-year-old will be competing at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris over the 5000m.

“I just want to run fast and lower my Personal Best time. I know I have the potential to run well in the 5000m but I’ve not competed in two years. I just want to go and see what I can do,” she said.

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