Xiamen Diamond League: Another World Record From the GOAT? Faith Kipyegon Responds

Faith Kipyegon is not giving away much over the possibility of a world record in Xiamen. Image source: Imago

Xiamen Diamond League: Another World Record From the GOAT? Faith Kipyegon Responds

Joel Omotto 17:51 - 25.04.2025

Faith Kipyegon has weighed in on whether a world record will be part of her agenda as she begins her 2025 season with the 1,000m race at Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday.

Faith Kipyegon has developed a habit of breaking world records in the last two years to the extent another lower time is expected whenever she goes out to compete.

Kipyegon broke three world records in two months in 2023 when she lowered the 1,500m, mile and the 5,000m marks.

She would later lose out on the 5,000m record but she still holds the world record in both mile and 1,500m, lowering the latter further in Paris this year.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

It is therefore no surprise that as she prepares for her first race of the 2025 season, there is a world record conversation.

Kipyegon will be among the star attractions at the season-opening Xiamen Diamond League in China where she will be running the 1,000m, just the second time she will be contesting the distance.

The 31-year-old has the second fastest time in the history of the 1,000m, after clocking 2:29.15 in Monaco in 2020, just 0.17 shy of Svetlana Masterkova's world record set in 1996, and ahead of Saturday’s race, it was put to her if another world record is in the offing.

“What is in my mind is just to start my season. I cannot talk about the world record but we will see at the finish line. I have the second fastest [time] and this will be my second 1,000m. I hope to run my best and see how my shape is towards Tokyo [World Championships],” said Kipyegon, not giving away too much as she looks forward to making further history.

It is perhaps a strategy designed to manage expectations from Kipyegon but given what has been witnessed from her, another world record cannot be ruled out from an athlete considered the greatest middle-distance runner of all time.