Faith Chepng’etich
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon has rewritten the record books of women’s middle-distance running while embodying Kenya’s tradition of endurance excellence. After storming to her first Olympic 1500 m title at Rio 2016, she defended the crown in Tokyo 2020 and completed an unprecedented hat-trick at Paris 2024, becoming the first woman to win three successive Olympic golds over the distance. In June 2023 she shattered Genzebe Dibaba’s eight-year-old 1500 m world record, clocking 3:49.04 in Florence, and one month later lowered the world mile mark to 4:07.64 in Monaco before doubling up with 1500 m/5000 m gold at the Budapest World Championships.
Kipyegon’s success is built on fierce closing speed, metronomic lap pacing and a training base at high altitude in Kaptagat under coach Patrick Sang. Now 31, the mother of one has shifted some focus to the 5000m, where she owns a 14:05.20 national record, yet remains intent on a historic barrier: the first sub-four-minute mile by a woman. Backed by a new multi-year performance partnership with Nike and cutting-edge biomechanics support at the Nike Sport Research Lab, she will lead paced assaults on the mark during the 2025 Diamond League season.
Beyond the track, Kipyegon mentors girls through Athletics Kenya’s “Run to School” initiative and campaigns for maternal-health clinics in rural Rift Valley, proving that her stride for greatness extends well beyond the finish line.