As the Paris Olympics athletics races approach, Faith Kipyegon stands on the brink of a historic achievement.

The Kenyan middle-distance runner has the chance to become the first woman to win three titles in the same individual track event at the Olympics.

Faith Kipyegon milestone

This milestone is within reach for Kipyegon, who will be competing in a field featuring three of the five fastest 1500m runners in history, including Gudaf Tsegay and Jessica Hull.

Sifan Hassan, another formidable competitor, is also a potential contender, having entered four events, including the 1500m.

Reflecting on her journey at the end of 2023, Kipyegon revealed her determination to break the world 1500m record, a goal she set to “complete” her “historical journey” in the event.

Despite holding Olympic and world titles, the world record had eluded her until her performance in Florence just over a year ago, where she clocked an astonishing 3:49.11. This achievement was followed by world records in the 5000m and the mile, solidifying her status as a dominant force in middle-distance running.

Yet, for Kipyegon, her journey is far from complete. After winning the 1500m and 5000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest—becoming the first woman to accomplish that double and securing a hattrick of 1500m titles—she ended her 2023 track campaign with a 1500m win at the Wanda Diamond League final in Eugene.

Despite a muscle injury at the start of her 2024 season, the 30-year-old bounced back, running impressive times at the Kenyan Olympic trials and breaking the world 1500m record again in Paris with a time of 3:49.04.

Returning to Paris for the Olympics, Kipyegon aims to make history by becoming the first woman to win the same individual track event three times at the Olympics.

This feat has only been achieved once before in Olympic history by Anita Wlodarczyk in the hammer throw. Kipyegon’s unbeaten streak in the 1500m since 2021 further underscores her dominance.

In addition to her 1500m aspirations, Kipyegon targets a 1500m and 5000m double in Paris. The 5000m final is scheduled for August 5, followed by the 1500m heats the next day, with the semifinals and final on August 8 and 10, respectively.

Faith Kipyegon’s rival

Kipyegon’s main rival, Gudaf Tsegay, is also in peak form. The Ethiopian star, who set the world 5000m record with a time of 14:00.21 in September, has also clocked the fourth-fastest 1500m time in history at 3:50.30. Tsegay’s remarkable performances extend to the 10,000m, where she posted the third-fastest time ever at 29:05.92 in Eugene.

The competition will be fierce, with Jessica Hull of Australia setting a world 2000m record and achieving an Oceanian record of 3:50.83 in Paris, just behind Kipyegon’s world record run. Other contenders include Birke Haylom and Diribe Welteji of Ethiopia, and Great Britain’s Laura Muir, who set a national record of 3:53.79 in Paris.

Sifan Hassan’s versatility and range make her a wildcard. The Dutch athlete, who has won global titles in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m, and claimed major marathon wins, is yet to confirm her events in Paris but is entered for the 1500m.

The US entries are led by Nikki Hiltz, who ran 3:55.33 at the national trials, along with Emily Mackay and Elle St. Pierre.