Double Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon stunned Ethiopia’s 5000m world record holder Letesenbet Gidey by clocking 14:05.20 at the Paris Diamond League on Friday.
🇰🇪 𝟏𝟒:𝟎𝟓:𝟐𝟎 – 𝑨 𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑹𝑬𝑪𝑶𝑹𝑫 🌍
⏱ Faith Kipyegon 𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑳𝑳𝒀 smashed the women's 5000m record 🤯
📺 Watch #DiamondLeague live: https://t.co/ACEUH7ePOB pic.twitter.com/7HJQ97DCnl
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 9, 2023
Making her Diamond League debut over 5,000m, Faith Kipyegon clocked 14:05.20, beating her personal best (14:31.95) she set at the distance in 2015 in Paris.
Gidey clocked 14:07.94 to finish second, while her compatriot Ejgayehu Taye finished third on 14:13.31, per Wanda Diamond League.
WORLD RECORD
Exactly one week after breaking the 1500m world record, 🇰🇪's Faith Kipyegon runs the fastest 5000m in history with 14:05.20 😳
60 second final lap 🫡
📸 @DanVernonPhoto and Marta Gorczyńska for Diamond League AG
*Subject to the usual ratification procedures pic.twitter.com/f3Qh2bS5FL
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) June 9, 2023
“No, I did not think about the world record, I do not know how I made it,” said Kipyegon.
“I just focused on the green light and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race.
“I just did the race and wanted to see what happens. When I saw that it was a world record I was so surprised. It was all about giving my best. I just wanted to improve on my personal best, the WR was not my plan.”
This was Faith Kipyegon's first 5,000m race in eight years. A week after setting the world record in the 1500m, she adds the 5,000m record to her collection. She plans to move to the 5,000m and beyond after the 2024 Olympic Games, but it's clear she has options right now. pic.twitter.com/cJTx95PXMu
— Fast Women (@fast_women) June 9, 2023
The Future
After her second world record, she said: “I do not know what will be next, I still have to discuss it with my coach and my management.
“I am so happy, I am very emotional right now and do not know what to say. If my body is healthy, anything is possible.”
