Faith Kipyegon, one of Kenya’s most decorated athletes, has expressed her confidence in the next generation of middle-distance runners to sustain the nation’s dominance in the women’s 1500m. The three-time Olympic and four-time world champion believes that the likes of Dorcus Ewoi and Nelly Chepchirchir are ready to carry the baton as she prepares to transition to longer distances.
For nearly a decade, Kipyegon has been the face of women’s 1500m running, winning Olympic gold in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, while also setting the world record in the event. Her incredible consistency and resilience have defined an era of Kenyan excellence in middle-distance athletics. As she eyes a new challenge, possibly in the 5000m or road races, Kipyegon is confident that Kenya’s dominance will remain intact thanks to the emerging talents she has inspired and mentored.
Training alongside the young runners, Kipyegon has seen firsthand their growth in skill, discipline, and mental strength. She praised the attitude and determination of Ewoi and Chepchirchir, describing them as powerful and focused athletes who are progressing in the right direction. She believes their exposure to international competition and training with elite athletes has helped them develop the confidence and experience needed to succeed at the highest level.
Dorcus Ewoi recently underlined her potential by finishing second to Kipyegon in the women’s 1500m final at the World Championships in Tokyo, while Nelly Chepchirchir narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish. Their performances demonstrated that Kenya’s strength in the event goes beyond one athlete and that a new generation is ready to uphold the nation’s reputation on the global stage.
Kipyegon emphasized that her goal is to leave the event in safe hands as she begins a new chapter in her career. She expressed pride in seeing the next wave of Kenyan talent rise and credited their dedication for ensuring that the 1500m legacy will continue long after her departure. Confident and optimistic, Kipyegon’s message was clear — the future of Kenyan middle-distance running is bright, and the baton is in capable hands.
