Paris 2024 Olympics: History as Faith Kipyegon wins third successive Olympic title in women's 1500m

Paris 2024 Olympics: History as Faith Kipyegon wins third successive Olympic title in women's 1500m

Abigael Wafula 21:24 - 10.08.2024

Faith Kipyegon won her third successive Olympic title at in Paris on Saturday to become the first woman to achieve the feat in the Games' history.

Defending champion Faith Kipyegon stepped on the purple track at the Paris Olympics, hoping to make history by claiming her third Olympic title and did just that.

Kipyegon won her first Olympic title at the 2016 Rio Olympics before defending her title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In Paris, she was out to cement her place as one of the greatest 1500m and she sure did.

The three-time world 1500m champion crossed the finish line in an Olympic record time of 3:51.29, making history as the first woman to win three back-to-back-to-back Olympic titles. Jessica Hull came in second in 3:52.56 as Great Britain’s Georgia Bell completed the podium in 3:52.61.

Kipyegon started her season later than usual due to an injury setback but caught up with her competitors in no time. She opened her outdoor season at the Kenyan Olympic trials, winning the 1500m and 5000m fashionably.

The double-world champion stamped authority in the women’s 1500m race at the Paris Diamond League where she struck a world record. She clocked a stunning 3:49.04 to shatter her previous world record of 3:49.11.

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She was off to a mixed start in her Olympic campaign, where she won a silver medal in the women’s 5000m but was disqualified for obstruction. Athletics Kenya officials filed an appeal and her medal was reinstated.

On her part, Hull entered the race with the much-needed confidence after finishing second behind Kipyegon at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris. A week later, Hull shattered the 2000m world record at the meeting in Monaco.

She began her Olympic campaign impressively, finishing second behind Nelly Chepchirchir in the first round before going into the semifinal where she finished behind Diribe Welteji.

On her part, the Briton started her campaign with a second-place finish behind Welteji before she finished second behind Kipyegon in the semifinal. Her third place finish on the Olympic stage is a morale booster for her to keep going.

Meanwhile, Susan Ejore, another Kenyan in the race, managed to cross the finish line sixth in a personal best time of 3:56.07. Laura Muir finished fifth as Gudaf Tsegay faded to 12th-place in the race.