Faith Kipyegon of Kenya solidified her position as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history by winning her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 1500 meters at the Paris 2024 Games on Saturday.
Kipyegon’s remarkable achievement makes her the first woman to secure three Olympic titles in a single track discipline, further enhancing her legendary status in the sport.
The 30-year-old athlete, known for her tenacity and speed, dazzled the crowd at the Stade de France, clocking an impressive time of 3:51.29.
This performance not only secured her victory but also broke her own Olympic record set in Tokyo three years earlier by two seconds.
Reflecting on her race, Kipyegon spoke about the mental challenges she faced leading up to the final.
“When I was on that start line, I was just thinking, what happened in the 5000m. It took a lot of energy in my mind, and I was thinking a lot, you know,” she said.
After a dramatic earlier race, she received calming advice from her team and family, which helped her focus on executing her strategy in the 1500m final.
Australian runner Jessica Hull, the world record-holder in the 2000m, claimed the silver medal with a time of 3:52.56, while Great Britain’s Georgia Bell made a strong finish to capture the bronze in a national record of 3:52.61, surpassing world road mile champion Diribe Welteji.
