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Multiple world and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon has disclosed the moment when she realised athletics could help her overcome poverty
World 1,500m record holder Faith Kipyegon has termed her victory at the 2011 World Cross-Country Championship as the moment she realised athletics could become a lucrative career.
At the event in Punta Umbria, Spain, a then 17-year-old Kipyegon stunned the world when she run barefoot on her way to winning the junior race, which she says was an eye opener.
Until then, the mother of one had been receiving encouragement from her parents but did not believe she could earn big from the sport until that life-changing victory in Spain.
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“My parents are my heroes, they have taken me from far. They are the ones who used to motivate me to run and they said I could change our family background through athletics,” Kipyegon told NTV.
“Since I won in Punta Umbria in Spain, it opened my mind. I learnt athletics could put food on my table and that is when I got a serious coach and focused myself towards where I am now.”
Kipyegon would go one to win two gold medals in 1,500m at the World Championships as well as two Olympics titles over the distance.
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The 2023 season was her best year as she added a third world title in 1,500 and managed a double by clinching the 5,000m crown. That came after setting three world records in 1,500m, 5,000m and the mile, making her the greatest middles distance runner of all time.
That has made her a huge inspiration to young girls in Kenya and around the world as well as fellow athletes but Kipyegon believes her decision to run barefoot 13 years ago is what should inspire others more.
“For me, the biggest thing is when I ran barefoot. If I had not done that, I would not have motivated the younger generation, those who are running now and do not know where they will get shoes. They can see Faith started barefoot,” she added.
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“I want to motivate women and young athletes to know that life is all about challenges and tough times. Just that we believe in ourselves and put in our minds that what you want to achieve you will, no matter what.
“What I have achieved in 2023 has seen even long-distance athletes and sprinters come to me and say I have inspired them and I am like, if I can inspire them, how about other young girls out there?”
Her decision to run barefoot had been informed by a bad experience in the previous year’s World Cross-Country in Bydgoszcz, Poland where she came fourth on her international debut aged 16.
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She believed her loss in the race was because the loose soil in Bydgoszcz could not give her the required grip.
Now fully established and comfortable in her spikes, Kipyegon relies heavily on a strong support system at home and in camp to achieve maximum results.
“I am in camp from Monday to Saturday and that is how I get a peaceful time to train, relax and focus knowing that is where my bread comes from,” said Kipyegon, who credited her husband and nanny for taking good care of her daughter while she is away.
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“In camp, you are with other athletes so you do things together but if you train from home, there are other distractions which leave you tired so going into next training, you cannot focus because of what you were doing at home.”
In 2024, Kipeygon is seeking to write further history by winning a third Olympics gold and few will be surprised if more records are broken.
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