Faith Kipyegon reacts over dubious statue, reveals last race for 2024 season
31st August 2024
The statue which was erected in Eldoret City early this month went viral due to poor craftsmanship.
- Kipyegon spoke about the statue after emerging victorious in the Rome Diamond League on Friday.
- She unleashed some powerful kick to finish ahead of Ethiopian duo Hailu Freweyni and Haylom Birke.
- The reigning world record holder also appreciated the warm welcome the 2024 Paris Olympic Games team received from Kenyans.
Faith Kipyegon spoke publicly for the first time on Friday August 30 regarding the statues that were erected in Eldoret City in honour of some Kenyan runners.
One of the statues that attempted to portray her elicited a lot of backlash from Kenyans due to poor workmanship, forcing Uasin Gishu County officials to get rid of it at night.
According to Kipyegon, who was quizzed about it after her commanding 1500m victory at the Rome Diamond League which saw her cross the finishing line in 3:52.89, the triple Olympic champion had mixed reactions.
“Don’t even talk about that (laughing). You know, it is a little bit of fun and at the same time it is what it is. I can’t comment on that. It is County things and they will make it better,” she stated.
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The reigning world record holder also appreciated the warm welcome the 2024 Paris Olympic Games team received from Kenyans.
She further described winning three consecutive 1500m Olympic Games gold medals as a special moment and disclosed the final event she will participate in this season.
“I really thank God. To have managed to run in the Olympics and to win for the third time, that was special. It was really a special moment for me.
I really thank God to have stayed strong and I hope to stay strong until the final Diamond League in Brussels and hopefully the last race in New York. So, I hope for the best,” ended Kipyegon.
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In New York, the Kaptagat-based runner is expected to fight for the 1500m title against the likes of Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the inaugural Athlos event organized by Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian.
Other high-profile athletes who have been invited for the event scheduled for September 26 at Icahn Stadium include the United States’ duo of Gabby Thomas and Alexis Holmes, Jamaica’s Goule-Toppin and Australia’s Torrie Lewis.
Dutch runner Lieke Klaver, Great Britain’s Annie Tagoe and Marileidy Paulino will also be in contention with other runners expected to be confirmed for the women-only event in the coming weeks.
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