Sifan Hassan narrates how Faith Kipyegon's record-breaking spree has inspired her

ATHLETICS Sifan Hassan narrates how Faith Kipyegon's record-breaking spree has inspired her

Abigael Wafula 10:00 - 23.07.2023

So far this season, Kipyegon has broken three world records in a span of one month.

Reigning London Marathon champion Sifan Hassan has shared that triple world record holder Faith Kipyegon’s are a huge motivation for her to run even faster.

So far this season, Kipyegon has broken three world records in a span of one month. She opened her campaign at the Diamond League Meeting in Florence on July 2 where she broke the 1500m world record.

She then went for the Meeting in Paris and set the 5000m world record before setting the mile world record at the just-concluded Diamond League Meeting in Monaco.

She is amazing and she inspires me to run faster. I have such great respect for her and I think it’s amazing. I think a lot of female athletes are getting better and quicker.

Faith is showing a lot of younger athletes and myself that it is possible to break more world records. I thought she’d break the world record, but the way that she did it was amazing. Congratulations and I’ll see you again,” Hassan said as per Athletics Weekly.

The Dutch woman added that she is always inspired by athletes like Kipyegon and Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey. She said the duo challenges her to do better and they are living proof that anything is possible.

She revealed that she is glad other athletes are coming up and that’s a good sign for the sport.

I’m really grateful for athletes like Faith and Letesenbet Gidey. I’m always really happy because I just want to run more but I can’t do everything. If you think it’s possible then it’s easier.

What they are showing is possible. I’ve already run the mile world record but I know I can run harder.

When Faith was running yesterday like that I know I can run harder. Faith has run 14:06 over 5000m and I think we can both go under 14 minutes. We’re going to surprise a lot of people,” Hassan said.

She added that she is not certain about competing in three events at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. However, she is aware of the stern test she will face in the 5000m and 10,000m races.

I’m going to run but I don’t know yet if I’ll do three [disciplines]. Whatever distance I run, I’m going to have a challenge as I’ll race Letesenbet over 10,000m, and in the 5000m, it will be Faith. There will also be no marathon in Budapest!

I’ve already done the three [1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m] at the Tokyo Olympics and if I do all of them again it’s because it’s a challenge and fun to do.

I see other athletes who could also run a lot of distances. I’d love to see Jakob Ingebrigtsen over 800m and 10,000m. I want to see those who are doing 1500m races run in other events,” she said.

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