Outstanding Faith Kipyegon Breaks the women's 5,000-meter world record

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Faith Kipyegon, a two-time Olympic winner in the 1,500 meters, broke the women’s 5,000-meter world record on Friday night at the Paris Diamond League with a lightning-quick time of 14:05.20.

Just one week prior, Faith Kipyegonbroke the women’s 1,500-meter world record with a time of 3:49.11 at the Florence Diamond League.

Faith Kipyegon reacts after breaking the women’s 5000m world record.[World Athletics]

In her 5,000-meter Diamond League debut, Faith Kipyegon faced seasoned competitors like Margaret Chelimo, a former world silver medalist, and Letesenbet Gidey, an Ethiopian who holds the distance world record.

Before the Kenyan unleashed the fearsome last kick that caused her to break the world record, Kipyegon lagged behind Gidey, who had been in the lead for the majority of the race. Gidey came in second in 14:07.94.

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Faith Kipyegon Celebrating [World Athletics]

“No, I did not think about the world record, I do not know how I made it,” said Kipyegon, who burst into tears after crossing the line.

“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. It was all about giving my best. I just wanted to improve on my personal best, the WR was not my plan.”

Read: Faith Kipyegon smashes women’s 1500m World record with 3:49.11 in Florence

Three pacesetters helped the field, including Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech, who established another world record but this time for the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

With 700 meters remaining in the 12-lap race, Kipyegon surged to the front while carefully observing the trackside lighting system that signaled world record speed.

Faith Kipyegon Bangs Double World Records in a Week

The Kenyan, a two-time world and Olympic champion in the 1500 meters crossed the finish line first, and Gidey followed closely after.

In the final 200 meters, the Ethiopian had a chance to respond, but Kipyegon quickly pulled away down the home straight, just as she had done in Florence the week prior.

Gidey came in second place in 14:07.94, followed by another Ethiopian, Ejgayehu Taye, who holds the 5-kilometer world record.

Faith Kipyegon smashes women's 1500m World record with 3:49.11 in Florence — Faith Kipyegon smashes women’s 1500m World record with 3:49.11 in Florence [Courtesy]

Prior to returning to Europe for another probable record attempt over 1500 meters at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 21, Kipyegon had been slated to return for a training camp in Kenya.

She did, however, state after setting her second world record: “I do not know what will come next; I still need to discuss it with my coach and management.