Vivian Cheruiyot, the 2016 Olympic 5000m champion and a prominent figure in women’s distance running, has weighed in on Faith Kipyegon’s potential dominance in the 5000m event at the upcoming Paris Olympics in August.
Cheruiyot, who transitioned from track to road running after retiring from competitive track events, recently made a successful return to running with a podium finish at the Paris Marathon earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Faith Kipyegon has solidified her status as a legendary 1500m runner, achieving remarkable feats including setting three World Records, winning two Olympic gold medals, and clinching three world titles in the 1500m event. Her exceptional achievements and form suggest she could extend her dominance to the 5000m distance at the upcoming Olympics.
In a documentary by Nation TV’s Sport On, Vivian Cheruiyot, the 2012 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and 2016 Olympic 5000m champion, discussed Faith Kipyegon’s seamless transition to the 5000m event.
Cheruiyot highlighted that Kipyegon’s training program for the 1500m and 5000m distances isn’t drastically different. She noted that Kipyegon’s existing speed from the 1500m is beneficial, and emphasized that the 5000m requires more management than raw speed.
“I am very confident that she will do well in Paris,” Cheruiyot expressed. “She is capable of achieving a double and delivering two gold medals.”
Faith Kipyegon’s successful world record-setting performance in the 5000m last year, despite not previously competing in the event for eight years, underscores her potential to excel in both the 1500m and 5000m at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Faith Kipyegon recently made headlines by breaking her own 1500m World Record at the Paris Diamond League classic, clocking an impressive time of 3:50.04. This achievement came in only her second race of the season, following a period of battling injuries, highlighting her exceptional talent and ability to perform under pressure.
Vivian Cheruiyot, whom Kipyegon considers a role model, praised her as a “superhuman” and commended her discipline and focus. “She is someone who is doing her work right. She is someone who is in love with sport,” Cheruiyot added.
In response, Kipyegon expressed her admiration for Cheruiyot, saying, “When I was young, I used to see Vivian running and I was like, one day one time, I would like to be like her.”
Their mutual respect and admiration underscore the strong bond between two of Kenya’s finest middle-distance runners, setting a compelling narrative as Kipyegon prepares for the upcoming challenges at the Paris Olympics.
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