World record holder Faith Kipyegon has revealed that her main focus is to make Kenyans proud at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kipyegon failed to win gold in the 5000m held on Monday, August 5, 2024, but she settled for silver, which was reinstated later after initial disqualification.
Beatrice Chebet won gold, Kenya’s first gold medal in the Paris Games, even though Kipyegon was highly tipped to emerge as the winner. However, the world champion, who will contest in the 1500m final, said her main focus is to make the country proud.
“To be honest, I feel tired after last night, but I am feeling good. This is a different race than my traditional race. My focus is fully on making Kenyans proud,” Kipyegon said, as quoted by Team Kenya‘s social media handles on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Kipyegon was momentarily suspended after lane infringement in a case that involved her main rival, Gudaf Tsegay, before her silver medal was reinstated after an appeal by Kenya.
The 5000m race was deeply talented as it included Chebet, Kipyegon, former defending Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, world record-holder Tsegay, and European champion Nadia Battocletti of Italy.
Kipyegon said she would not comment on what happened, as she says the focus remains on the duty ahead.
“I have no comment after yesterday as it was hard. This is sport, and I am Faith. I’ve always participated fairly, and all in all, I am now focused on 1500m. I have to keep going. It will be beautiful,” she added.
In Monday’s race, Kipyegon, Chebet, and their rivals were engaged in a tight fight for the podium slots, with Tsegay initially taking command, which resulted in a brief collision with Kipyegon before the field soon settled again.
Finally, Chebet claimed gold, and Kipyegon settled for a contested silver as Hassan came third and took home bronze.
Meanwhile, Kipyegon qualified for the 1500m semi-final and hopes to win gold in the race given that it is her traditional field.
