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The two-time world champion displayed class as she broke the 1500m world record in the Diamond League Meeting in Florence, Italy before breaking the 5000m world record in Paris, France, in less than a week.
Newly-crowned 1500m and 5000m world record holder Faith Kipyegon has been awarded Ksh 5 million and a three-bedroomed house as a token of appreciation from the Government.
The two-time world champion displayed class as she broke the 1500m world record in the Diamond League Meeting in Florence, Italy before breaking the 5000m world record in Paris, France, in less than a week.
Kipyegon who jetted back to the country on Tuesday morning was immediately taken to State House to meet President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagwa in the company of Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Athletics Kenya president General Jack Tuwei.
Kipyegon was also in the company of her husband Timothy Kitum, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and their daughter. Kitum finished 3rd in a record breaking race in which David Rudisha set the current 800m World Record.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony, H.E. President Ruto lauded Kipyegon for her exemplary performance and acknowledged her as a heroine.
“We want to celebrate and recognise what she has done, not just for herself but for our nation. She has made Kenya incredibly proud and she stands as a shining model of hard work. She is a great Kenyan woman, a mother, a wife, and a world champion,” he said.
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06:00 - 13.06.2023
ATHLETICS: Will Faith Kipyegon double in 1500m and 5000m at the Paris Olympics next year?
The two-time world champion broke the 1500m world record in Florence on June 2 before breaking the 5000m world record in Paris on June 9.
An emotional Kipyegon was over the moon noting that it was a great moment to be received in a unique style. She urged other athletes to ensure they work hard and ensure they place the country on the world map.
“I’m so excited…I don’t know what to say…I feel appreciated. I hope I have motivated many other athletes to break records. I am excited I can now own a house in Nairobi,” she said.
Tuwei also congratulated Kipyegon for her dominant exploits and singled out her unique discipline as what earned her a place at the high table.
He added that Kipyegon is now a role model to many others and she has set the pace for upcoming athletes.
“She writes history as the first woman to break the records in the 1500m and 5000m…she has delivered her records within a week. It has taken her discipline, hard work, dedication, and patriotism. We encourage all our athletes to follow these virtues,” he said.
Elsewhere, CS Namwamba also reiterated what had been said and revealed that her exploits shocked the whole world. He noted that Kipyegon has shown the world that Kenya is a world-beater.
He also extended gratitude to the President for his unwavering support towards sports people and he promised that the Ministry of Sports will always rally behind the athletes.
“She has fired warning shots to the world that Kenya is a powerhouse in sports. With the continued support of the President, I’m sure sports will grow in this country. We want to ensure the needs of our sportsmen and women are catered for," he said.
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07:25 - 10.06.2023
ATHLETICS ‘I don’t know how I made it’ - Faith Kipyegon in disbelief after smashing second world record in a week
The two-time world and Olympic champion broke the 5,000m record in Paris on Friday, seven days after lowering the 1,500m record in Florence
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