ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon's rival awarded bronze medal nine years after actual race

Doping scandal reshapes history as Faith Kipyegon's track rival receives retrospective bronze medal 9 years after race.

One of Faith Kipyegon's track rivals, Laura Muir, has finally been awarded a long-awaited retrospective bronze medal nearly a decade after her remarkable performance in the European Athletics Indoor Championships.

The journey to rewrite the history of the Women's 3000m event at the European Indoors in Prague in 2015 has been set in motion, following the shocking revelation of doping offenses by the race winner, Yelena Korobkina, who represented Russia at the time.

Korobkina, who has now been banned from the sport for four years, triumphed over Laura Muir, who finished fourth in the race, back in 2015.

However, the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) ruling has paved the way for justice to be served. Korobkina's results from a three-year period, spanning from July 2013 to July 2016, will be expunged from the record books.

For Laura Muir, this belated recognition is a significant milestone in her career. The retrospective bronze medal would have marked her first senior international medal, and she accomplished this feat at the young age of 21.

In 2017, Muir achieved double gold in the 1500m and 3000m at the European indoor event in Belgrade, but the recent award underscores the importance of rectifying past injustices in the world of athletics.

With Sviatlana Kudzelich of Belarus, the 2015 runner-up, now receiving a gold medal and Maureen Koster of Holland being awarded a silver medal, the reshuffled medals reflect the true talent and dedication of these athletes.

This development propels Laura Muir's medal count to an impressive 14, spanning from 2015 to the previous year, which includes her Olympic silver medal won in Tokyo in 2021.

A special medal ceremony will be held to formally recognize the new standings as a result of the ruling.

Laura Muir, who has always been a staunch advocate for clean competition, expressed her satisfaction with the decision and the significance of the medals being awarded to those who abide by the rules of the sport.

"Hearing the news that I will be receiving a championship medal almost a decade after the race itself is one of mixed emotions," she said as per Scottish Athletics.

"Predominantly, I feel very fortunate and grateful to receive the bronze medal, particularly when still competing at an elite level, as I am aware many athletes are not afforded that opportunity. Had I received the medal on the day of the race in Prague in 2015, it would have been my first senior international medal."

Muir's journey has not been without its challenges, and she acknowledged the difficulties she faced when she missed out on the podium that night in Prague.

However, this setback fueled her determination to ensure that future championships would not yield the same outcome, a goal she has successfully achieved. 

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Muir extended her gratitude to all those involved in the process that led to her finally receiving the long-deserved bronze medal.

She emphasized the significance of rectifying results and awarding medals to athletes who compete within the rules of the sport, highlighting the importance of fair competition and preserving the integrity of athletics.

The European Indoors 2015 bronze medal will now proudly join Muir's other sporting accomplishments, serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of athletics.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Athletics Weekly, Laura Muir shared her special bond with Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon, praising her for breaking three world records.

Muir also reflected on the increasing competitiveness of the 1500m event and the remarkable times being achieved.

With her eyes set on future podiums, Muir believes she can shave off crucial seconds to secure her place among the world's elite athletes.