A week on from breaking the 1500m world record, Faith Kipyegon stepped up in distance and repeated the trick in the 5000m at the Diamond League meeting in Paris. Many Paris eyes may be focused on the French Open, with Novak Djokovic beating Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, but those who favour athletics were treated to star power on Friday evening. Ad Kipyegon has been imperious at 1500m, winning Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020, but in Paris she stepped up to a distance she has not raced at since 2015.
AthleticsKipyegon sets new 1500m record at Florence Diamond League03/06/2023 AT 07:29 It held no terrors, as the Kenyan produced a blistering time of 14:05.20. Kipyegon was up against Letesenbet Gidey and Ejgayehu Taye — the former held the world record heading into Paris. But the two Ethiopians were blitzed by Kipyegon who lowered the previous record of 14:06.62 which Gidey set in October 2020.
Kipyegon looked in shock as she crossed the line, and despite there being pacemakers in the race she said the world record was not in her thoughts. «I did not think about the world record,” Kipyegon said. “I do not know how I made it.
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 sooo surprised.” Kipyegon smashed her previous best at the distance by 26 seconds, and she added: “It was all about giving my best. I just wanted to improve on my PB, the world record was not my plan.
“It is amazing. I do not know what will be next, I still have to discuss it with my coach and my management. I am sooo happy, I am very emotional right now and do not know what to say.» Chillingly for her rivals, Kipyegon added:
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