Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have been awarded by the Academy of Achievement in the United States of America.
President William Ruto in a statement on September 23 made the announcement while congratulating Kipyegon for her recognition.
“Congratulations Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for being recognized and awarded by the Academy of Achievement. The extraordinary honour is a solid tribute to your hard work, talent, and dedication to athletics. No doubt, it will inspire upcoming athletes and help shape our country’s sports,” said Ruto.
They were awarded during the Dinner of the Golden Plate Award ceremony at the Lincoln Centre Plaza, New York.
According to its official website, the American Academy of Achievement is a nonprofit organization that honors high achievers across various fields.
Founded in 1961, it facilitates mentorship by connecting accomplished leaders with promising students through its annual International Achievement Summit.
This event culminates in a ceremony where new members are inducted.
This comes almost two months after Kipyegon and Chebet delivered remarkable performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kipyegon made history by winning her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s 1500m, setting an Olympic record of 3:51.29.
This achievement established her as the first athlete to secure three Olympic titles in a single-track event, further solidifying her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
On the other hand, Chebet also shone brightly, winning gold in the women’s 5000m with a time of 14:06.62.
Her victory marked a significant achievement for her and Kenya, as she outpaced formidable competitors, including Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.
