Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Women's 1500m - Final - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. Faith Kipyegon of Kenya celebrates after crossing the finish line to win gold REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Faith Kipyegon hints at world record attempt in Florence.She came close in last year’s Diamond League leg in Monaco finishing three tenths of a second short, and in a national record time of 3:50.37.
Two-time world champion Faith Kipyegon has reiterated her quest to break the 1500m world record as she prepares for her return to Florence in the third leg of the 2023 Diamond League series.
Kipyegon’s last appearance in the French city was back in 2021 when she finished second behind the ever-brilliant Sifan Hassan in a then national record time of 3:53:63.
On Friday however, Kipyegon hopes to have ‘a nice race’ and one that will bring her closer to breaking the world record held by Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba (3:50.07).
“First of all is to say thank you. Being here in Florence for the second time,” Kipyegon said in her pre-race press conference on Thursday. “I was here in 2021 and ran 3:53 and for Friday, everything is possible.
I am looking forward to a nice race here.”Speaking about having a go for the world record, Kipyegon said; “The record is still in my heart and mind.
I am praying for a perfect year.”Kipyegon will face off with a field involving British Olympic silver medallist and natural front-runner Laura Muir, Diribe Welteji of Ethiopia, Canadian Gabriela DeBues-Stafford and American Jessica Hull.
On facing off with Muir, a close competitor over the years, Kipyegon said; “I have been competing with her for a while and I love that. When we get to that starting line, she motivates me to do better.”
Prior to the pressers, it was announced that Faith Kipyegon had teamed up with Nike on the Athlete Think Tank to create more meaningful change through sport, for the next generation of women and girls.
“I’m proud to team up with Nike on the Athlete Think Tank to create more meaningful change through sport for the next generation of women and girls,” Kipyegon posted on her social media platforms Thursday.
“Few things are more powerful than the voice of an athlete, but the voice of a collective – this collective – is unstoppable.”
The initiative – one set to champion women and girls and create bigger change through sport – has in the past involved several other athletes that include; Shelly Anne Fraser Pryce, Dina Asher Smith, and tennis superstar Serena Williams.
