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Faith Kipyegon has narrated how Ethiopian track rival Gudaf Tsegay sought an apology from her following a dramatic incident that nearly saw her Olympics silver medal win quashed.
Three-time Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon has revealed how Ethiopian runner Gudaf Tsegay came back to apologise to her following an altercation on the track.
Kipyegon won silver in the 5,000m at the Paris Olympics but was briefly disqualified over jostling and obstruction after she raised her hand to fend off Tsegay who had got into her way in an attempt to box her into the inner lane and gain an advantage in the race.
Team Kenya would appeal and Kipyegon later got her medal back and also had the last laugh when she trumped the Ethiopian to win a gold medal in the 1,500m to become the first woman to seal a hat-trick of Olympics titles over the distance.
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08:30 - 11.08.2024
Gudaf Tsegay’s dirty tricks fail to pay off as Kenyans have last laugh at Paris Olympics
The Ethiopian athlete tried to win at all costs at Paris Olympics but her dirty tricks proved costly instead as she ended up empty handed despite signing up for three races.
Now, Kipyegon has revisited the incident, explaining what happened and how a remorseful Tsegay came back and knelt before her to apologise.
"In a race, you have to concentrate a lot; I thank Beatrice Chebet, and Margaret Chelimo for the teamwork we had. Unfortunately, when I wanted to lead the race, the Ethiopian also started moving up," Kipyegon said on Citizen TV’s JKL.
"She came in strong and I protested telling her that she was pushing me inside and out of my tracks. She then started pushing me further inside dramatically. At least I fought back and came back to my lane...it took a lot in my mind. But I forgave and forgot and allowed myself to move on.
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12:05 - 14.08.2024
Faith Kipyegon still traumatized by women's 5000m drama and disqualification at Paris Olympic Games
Faith Kipyegon was shortly disqualified from the women's 5000m and her silver scrapped off being reinstated, an experience she says she is still healing from.
“After the following day's 1,500m heats, Tsegay came and knelt before me and told me she was very sorry, that it was not my fault but hers, 'please forgive me'. I just forgave her knowing that it is sports and we will meet again another time and we need each other to compete.”
Tsegay featured in three races at Olympics, the 1,500m, 5,000m, of which she is the world record holder, and 10,000m but came out empty handed and Kipyegon still felt that her efforts merited something.
“Eventually, I felt bad for Tsegay because she ran in three races and left Paris without any medals,” she added.
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09:30 - 11.08.2024
Faith Kipyegon speaks on how setback strengthened her 1500m three-peat at Olympics
Faith Kipyegon overcame a challenging setback in the 5000m to clinch her historic third consecutive Olympic title in the 1500m.
The multiple world champion also shed light on claims that she was not happy with a silver medal after compatriot Beatrice Chebet closed in on her and eventually stormed to victory in the 5,000m race.
"I didn't think I would be disqualified after finishing my race. Most people are saying that I was disappointed in getting a silver medal, but I was not. I was disappointed by getting a disqualification for not knowing what I did," said Kipyegon.
"I was happy during my first interview that I won a silver medal before I was told that I had been disqualified in my second interview...I was disappointed."
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