Faith Kipyegon of Kenya sets a new women’s 5,000-meter world record

At the Diamond League competition in Paris on Friday, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won the women’s 5,000m event while setting a second world record in as many days.

In Florence last week, Kipyegon broke the 1500-meter world record and maintained her composure over the longer distance to win in 14 minutes, 05.20 seconds, knocking a full second and a half off the previous mark of 14 minutes, 6.62 seconds established by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, the world 10,000-meter champion.

When Kipyegon finally crossed the finish line, she broke down in tears and exclaimed, “No, I did not think about the world record, I do not know how I made it.”

“I simply tried to be calm and enjoy the race while concentrating on the green light.

“I merely finished the race to see what would happen. I was astonished to learn that it was a world record. Giving my very best was everything. The world record was not my goal; all I wanted to do was beat my previous best.

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 lead while carefully observing the trackside lighting system that signaled world record speed.

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 last 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 before.

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

Prior to returning to Europe for another probable record attempt over 1500 meters at the Monaco Diamond League event 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.

I don’t know what to say since I’m so pleased and emotional right now. Everything is achievable if my body is in good shape.