By Citius Mag Staff
June 9, 2023
She did it again! Fresh off her world record in the 1500m last weekend at the Florence Diamond League, Faith Kipyegon broke another world record with a 14:05.20 for 5000m at the Paris Diamond League.
Here's what you need to know:
Kipyegon just sneaked under the previous record of 14:06.62, which was formerly held by Letesenbet Gidey–who finished second behind Kipyegon in 14:07.94. Gidey's performance was the third-fastest in history.
– Kipyegon's record-setting performance shaved about 25 seconds off her previous 5000m personal best of 14:31.95.
– Kipyegon was running her first 5000m race in eight years. Before the race, she downplayed her expectations during the pre-race press conference.
– Kipyegon now owns the 1500m and 5000m world record. She has never contested the 5000m at the World Championships. A double is possible with the 2023 World Athletics Championships calendar for Budapest in August.
How She Did It
Coming into Friday night, it was billed as a duel between world record holders. It did not disappoint. Kipyegon and Gidey were together the entire time. Gidey's mistake was leaving Kipyegon within striking distance since her kick is unmatched and she managed to drop a 60-second final lap to pull away from Gidey in the final 200m.
What She Said Afterward
Faith Kipyegon: "I don't know how to express this. It's really amazing. I was not expecting this. I'm really emotional."
Watch more interviews from the Paris Diamond League on The CITIUS MAG YouTube channel.
Our Takes:
"With two laps to go, I said out loud and via text message, “the announcers should stop talking about the lights and record – it’s not happening! Focus on the race between the WR holders at 1500m and 10,000m!” That take aged poorly.
The thing I forgot to account for is that Faith Kipyegon has the closing speed of someone who just ran 3:49.11, and the ability to close your final 200m in 28.1 seconds can make up a miraculous amount of ground. That’s what it took for Kipyegon to run 14:05.20 and break Letsenbet Gidey’s previous mark of 14:06.62.
I feel for Gidey here, especially because she ran great, herself! Her time of 14:07.94 is now the third fastest ever. Since running that world record, Gidey has lost all five of her 5000m races since. But if the devil offered that sort of deal to every competitive runner, there would be a lot fewer souls in the sport, and a lot more former world record holders finishing in silver position.
Faith is still zeroed in on the 1500m at the moment, but let’s never forget that she was twice a World Cross Country Junior Champion. The schedule in Budapest would allow her to finish all rounds of her primary event before shifting attention to the secondary. And no woman has ever won the 1500m/5000m double at a global championship." – Kyle Merber
Citius Mag Staff
