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Double Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon’s record-breaking victory at the Paris Diamond League has been received warmly back home.

Kipyegon smashed the women’s 5,000m world record with a blistering run of 14:05.20 on Friday, June 9, 2023, a week after setting a new World Record in 1,500m.

The stunning performance earned the 29-year-old mother-of-one praise from top Kenyan leaders including President William Ruto.

“Tenacity, focus, hunger for excellence, and a winning mindset are the formula for greatness. Faith Kipyegon has done it again. Another World Record this time in the 5,000 metres. What an athlete! What an inspiration! What a champion! Congratulations, Kenya is immensely proud of you,” the Head of State wrote on Twitter.

Tenacity, focus, hunger for excellence, and a winning mindset are the formula for greatness. Faith Kipyegon has done it again. Another World Record this time in the 5,000 metres. What an athlete! What an inspiration! What a champion! Congratulations, Kenya is immensely proud of… pic.twitter.com/MHul5NButq

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 9, 2023

Opposition supremo Raila Odinga also congratulated Kipyegon, saying “Wow! Just one week after shattering the 1500m world record. Faith Kipyegon breaks the 5000m World Record in an astonishing time of 14:05.20, making history once again! What an epic run. Congratulations.”

Wow! Just one week after shattering the 1500m world record. Faith Kipyegon breaks the 5000m World Record in an astonishing time of 14:05.20, making history once again!

What an epic run. Congratulations pic.twitter.com/uNbsXK3ydE

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 9, 2023

Other Kenyans also took to social media to celebrate Kipyegon for the new record.

“This Kenyan girl is on fire!” CNN journalist Larry Madowo tweeted.

🔥 Faith Kipyegon has broken 2 world records in 1 week!

🏃🏾‍♀️She just ran the fastest 5000m in history with 14:05.20 in Paris, just days after breaking the 1500m world record.

🇰🇪 This Kenyan girl is on fire! pic.twitter.com/dPKFdTienl

— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) June 9, 2023

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is the 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon. She has broken another world record in women’s 5000m (14:05.20) at the Paris Diamond League! Congratulations 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/cqnk9v1wOd

— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) June 9, 2023

Kipyegon emerged victorious after beating world record-holder Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in Friday’s race.

She passed Gidey with about 700 metres remaining to cross the line in 14 minutes 5.20 seconds, putting her hands across her face in disbelief when she spotted her time before collapsing in a joyous heap and receiving a hug from Gidey.

She told journalists that she had not even been thinking about breaking the record.

“I do not know how I made it,” Kipyegon said. “I just focused on the green light and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race. I just did the race and wanted to see what happens, when I saw that it was a world record I was so surprised,” she said.

New 1500m record

Kipyegon set a new 1500m world record in the Florence Diamond League meeting on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Kipyegon streaked clear to win in 3 minutes 49.11 seconds, breaking the 3:50 barrier held by Genzebe Dibaba since 2015.