"Congratulations, Ms Kipyegon, for breaking your own record with a breathtaking and inspirational run. Hats off to Ms Chebet for becoming the first woman in history to run under 14 minutes on the track."
The President also congratulated Agnes Jebet.
Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet
President William Ruto has hailed Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for their record-breaking performances at the Prefontaine Classic.
"We salute Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for setting new world records in the women’s 1500m and 5000m events at the Prefontaine Classic," Ruto said on X.
"Congratulations, Ms Kipyegon, for breaking your own record with a breathtaking and inspirational run.
Hats off to Ms Chebet for becoming the first woman in history to run under 14 minutes on the track."
The President also congratulated Agnes Jebet.
"Well done to Agnes Jebet for securing a strong second-place finish in the 5000m.
Your remarkable achievements have once again lifted Kenya’s flag high and filled the nation with pride," he said on X.
"This well-deserved victory reaffirms Kenya’s enduring dominance on the global athletics stage."
Other leaders who celebrated Kipyegon and Chebet included Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
"Faith Kipyegon does it again!
Congratulations, Faith, for a breathtaking display of brilliance," the CS said.
"Faith storms to a new world record of 3:48.68 in the 1500m at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, breaking her own mark by 0.36 seconds, almost exactly a year to the day since she first made history.
Your dominance, grace, and unwavering consistency on the track are nothing short of legendary. Kenya beams with pride as you continue to redefine what’s possible.
Hongera sana, Faith, the undisputed Champion of Middle Distance."
On her part, Governor Gladys Wanga said: "Beatrice Chebet stormed to a world record victory in the women’s 5000m at the Prefontaine Classic, clocking an unbelievable 13:58.06, becoming the first woman in history to dip under 14 minutes."
"Faith Kipyegon delivered another golden moment, winning the women’s 1500m in 3:48.68 to break her world record by 0.36 seconds!
A hearty congratulations to our two daughters of the soil for redefining what's possible."
Faith Kipyegon broke her own 1500 metres world record on Saturday, clocking 3:48.68 during the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
Competing in the final event of the meet, the Kenyan middle-distance runner shaved 0.36 seconds off her previous world record of 3:49.04, which she set on June 2, 2023, in Florence, Italy.
The race took place at Hayward Field during the Diamond League event hosted by Nike. Kipyegon led from the early stages, maintaining a consistent pace before accelerating in the final 300 metres to seal the new world record.
Kipyegon now owns the three fastest 1500m times in history and has extended her dominance in the event. The two-time Olympic and world champion remains unbeaten in the 1500m since 2021.
The Prefontaine Classic has been a regular stop for Kipyegon and other top athletes preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The record comes just hours after another Kenyan, Beatrice Chebet, stunned the field in the 5000 metres at the same meet, breaking the world record with a time of 13:58.06.
Chebet became the first woman to run under 14 minutes in the event, surpassing the previous record of 14:00.21 set by Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay in 2023.
