Faith Kipyegon unsure about running 5000m at Paris Olympics

Faith Kipyegon unsure about running 5000m at Paris Olympics

Abigael Wafula 08:29 - 09.05.2024

Double world champion Faith Kipyegon is still undecided about doubling at the Olympic Games but her coach Patrick Sang has given a timeline on when they will make the final decision.

Double world record holder (1500m and one mile) Faith Kipyegon is uncertain about running the 5000m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

As reported by Actual News Magazine, Kipyegon’s main objective will be to win her third successive Olympic title over the 1500m. The double world champion will be looking to make history since there is no other woman who has won three titles over the distance.

She was crowned the 2016 and 2021 Olympic champion to join the list of history-making women since before her, only two athletes have won two Olympic gold medals in the 1500m, Britain's Sebastian Coe (1980, 1984) and the Soviet Tatyana Kazankina (1976, 1980).

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“My main goal is to defend my 1500m title, becoming the first person to win three gold medals in the 1500m. I’m really looking forward," she said.

“My head, my spirit, my preparation are all turned towards Paris. I said I wanted to leave a legacy. This is the legacy I’m talking about, winning three gold medals at the Olympics, getting gold medals at the World Championships, and also the world record."

She added that if she managed to defend her title, she would have accomplished everything before moving to a longer distance.

The three-time World 1500m champion, who is yet to start her 2024 season, insisted that she is unsure about the 5000m at the Olympic Games.

“I can’t say that I have yet thought about the 5000m, we still have to study that with my team and see what will be possible,” she explained.

Meanwhile, her coach, Patrick Sang also explained that they will assess the situation and decide whether she will double at the Games.

Kipyegon enjoyed the 2023 season, going unbeaten in the 1500m and breaking the 1500, 5000m and one-mile world records. She was also on fire at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where she bagged gold in both the 1500m and 5000m.