Double Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon has booked her ticket to Paris for the summer games after she staged an emphatic win in the 5,000m race at the National trials being held at Nyayo Stadium.

In her first race of the year, Kipyegon showed not only her class but form too as she proved too strong in the last lap of the race to finish first, clocking 14:46.28 ahead of Beatrice Chebet and Margret Chelimo respectively.

Kipyegon has been a missing figure in the track world after suffering a hamstring injury that restricted her race time. She expressed her joy at being able to perform well on her return.

“I thank God that I have run really well today after being out for a long time. People have been asking about my whereabouts so I had to come out and clarify that I have been grappling with an injury. I thank my fans and everyone who has been supporting me through this trying time,” Kipyegon said after the race.

World 10k record holder Chebet who could not match Kipyegon’s finishing power settled for second at 14:52.55 while Chelimo who also found it difficult to keep up with the two clocked 14:59.39.

Kipyegon ran behind the pack for the majority of the race before surging to the front in the last three laps. Chebet and Chelimo would follow but all efforts to get close proved futile as she ran a strong last lap to cross the finish line first.

Kipyegon eyes double

Both Kipyegon and Chebet are set to double in the race at the Olympics, with the reigning Olympic champion in the 1,500m race keen to defend the title in Paris.

The 30-year-old believes that together with Chebet in the team they can produce special results in Paris.

“It is a really great team…working with this girl here (Beatrice). We were together in Budapest and I won gold and she won bronze. This time we are going to do our best to see what we can do in the women’s 5000m in Paris,” she said.

Kipyegon will compete in the 1,500m race on the second day of the National Olympic Trials on Saturday, June 14, 2024.

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