Faith Kipyegon has done it again. Just one week after making history in the 1500m, the 29-year-old Kenyan broke the world record in the 5000m.
Kipyegon emerged from a stirring battle with Letesenbet Gidey with Kipyegon deploying an excellent finishing kick to run 14:05.20. Gidey held the previous mark of 14:06.62.
TWO world records in ONE WEEK for Faith Kipyegon ??
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 9, 2023
14:05.20 for 5,000m at the #ParisDL to add another record to her resume ? @Diamond_League pic.twitter.com/ctbn9Vn3aY
No woman has ever set world records in the 1500m and the 5000m.
"No, I did not think about the WR, I do not know how I made it. I just focused on the green light and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race," Kipyegon said.
"It was all about giving my best. I just wanted to improve on my PB."
Kipyegon, the two-time world and two-time Olympic champion in the 1500m, ran 3:49.11 in Florence last Friday. But she was relatively inexperienced in the 5000m. Her personal best entering the race was 14:31.95 and she hadn’t raced a 5000m since 2015.
Gidey finished second in 14:07.94. The third fastest time in history.
Splits below, via the Paris Diamond League website:
1: 1:10.25
2: 1:08.90
3: 1:07.81
4: 1:08.27
5: 1:07.82
6: 1:08.00
7: 1:07.67
8: 1:07.84
9: 1:07.90
10: 1:08.14
11: 1:08.75
12: 1:00.63