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Faith Kipyegon blasts to 1,500m gold, becomes three-time Olympic champion

Kipyegon is officially the greatest 1,500m runner of all time

Faith Kipyegon Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder, sped to a new Olympic record of 3:51.29 on Saturday, winning her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 1,500m. Kipyegon was followed in by Australia’s Jessica Hull in 3:52.56, who became the fastest 2,000m runner of all time in July with a time of 5:19.70.  Georgia Bell of Great Britain was third and set a national record of 3:52.61.

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon wins gold in the women’s 1,500m final at Paris 2024. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

While Kipyegon had separated from the group in her charge to the finish, Hull and Bell faced some competition from Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who took fourth in a PB of 3:52.75, and Great Britain’s Laura Muir, who ran a PB for fifth in 3:53.37.

Kipyegon is now undisputedly the best 1,500m runner of all time. She hasn’t lost a 1,500m race since 2021, and has won gold at the last four major championships. Kipyegon also holds five of the 10 fastest 1,500m times in history, and currently holds the world and Olympic records. In 2023, the double world champion was named World Female Track Athlete of the Year.

Kipyegon made headlines by breaking three world records in 2023, in the 1,500m, the mile, and 5,000m events, in addition to clinching two world championship titles at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She successfully defended her world title in the 1,500m and won her first world championship over 5,000m, facing one of the deepest fields in the event’s history.

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon wins gold in the women’s 1,500m final at Paris 2024. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Kipyegon faced some unaccustomed controversy in the 5,000m final earlier this week; she crossed the line for silver behind her compatriot, Beatrice Chebet, who won in 14:28.56, but a few minutes later was disqualified for a track obstruction after tangling with Gudaf Tsegay heading into the final two laps. In her disqualification, Sifan Hassan was moved up to silver, and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti to bronze. But Athletics Kenya submitted an appeal and won, giving Kipyegon the silver medal after all, leaving Battocletti off the podium. Battocletti got redemption in Friday’s 10,000m, earning a silver medal.

women's 1500m final paris 2024
Faith Kipyegon (right) leads the women’s 1,500m final at Paris 2024. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

As the first athlete to win the Olympic 1,500m event three times in a row, Kipyegon continues her historic streak. In 2023, she became the first woman to run the 1,500m in under three minutes and 50 seconds (3:49:11) and achieved another milestone by also becoming the first woman to run a sub-4:10 mile, clocking in at 4:07.64 at Monaco Diamond League in July.


Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and ASICS Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.

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