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World and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon could not hide her joy after meeting one of her main inspirations being multiple Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King.
Multiple world and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon has expressed her excitement at meeting tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Kipyegon, alongside her Kenyan compatriot and double Olympics champion Beatrice Chebet, are in New York where she is set to feature in the Athlos NYC on Thursday and the two have been brushing shoulders with who is who in sports and politics.
“A special moment! Met the legendary @BillieJeanKing. She’s been a great inspiration, not just to me, but to women in sports around the world,” Kipyegon said after the encounter.
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19:30 - 23.09.2024
Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet honoured with prestigeous award in New York
Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet were honored in New York for their exceptional performances and Olympic successes.
The now 80-year-old King, also known as BJK, is an American former world No. 1 tennis player who won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.
She was a member of the victorious US team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups and is an inspiration to many women in sports across the world.
Kipyegon will be among the star attractions at the Athlos event where winners in each of the 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles, 800m and 1500m races that will be contested will walk home with $60,000.
The meeting with King happened on the same day that Kipyegon and Chebet were awarded the esteemed Golden Plate by the Academy of Achievers of the United States of America following their successful 2024 track season.
Kipyegon became the first woman to win three straight Olympics gold medals in 1,500m and also added a silver in 5,000m, a race won by Chebet, who also claimed the 10,000m title at the Paris 2024 Games.
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