Double Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon says her achievements on the track this year show that women can overcome the challenges of childbirth and attain greatness in their respective passions.
Kipyegon said her gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics in August brought her face-to-face with the reality that she has achieved so much beyond the track.
After crossing the finish line — during which she blew aside world 1500m champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands — an emotional Kipyegon knelt down on the track and covered herself with the national flag as she revelled in the aftermath of an encapsulating final.
"At that moment when I was covering myself with the Kenyan flag, I was so happy that I had managed to defend my Olympic title. It also hit me that I had motivated many young mothers that it is possible to come back strongly from maternity leave and do great things. This is something I would like to encourage every mother out there," Kipyegon said.
The 2012 world junior champion spoke of the tough period leading up to the quadrennial games, worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.
"To come from maternity leave and return to the highest level is not easy. Overall, it was also a tough year dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. However, we put our hearts into competing and were really looking forward to the Olympics," she said.
Apart from grabbing headlines in Tokyo, Kipyegon has also shone in the Diamond League series with her trophy win in Zurich.
In her last race of the year, the Bomet-born was in sizzling form as she timed 4:02.40 to win the women's 1500m at the Kip Keino Classic meet at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on Saturday. Ethiopian pair of Hirut Meshesha (4:03.01) and Freyweyni Hailu (4:04.39) finished second and third respectively.
"It is really great to win this race as that was my target. It felt wonderful competing on home soil after a long time. Even without the fans, the atmosphere was great. The few people in the stadium cheered us on," she said.
The former world 1,500m champion has now set sights on next year's World Championship in Oregon, United States where she wants to reclaim the title she lost at the last edition in Doha, Qatar.
"I am looking forward to go there and bring back my medal, which I won in London. As you know, I clinched silver in Doha in 2019 so this time I want to go one better," Kipyegon said.
Her bid for a second world title may once more pit her against Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion Hassan with whom she has been engaged in an intriguing track rivalry.
Having been the only one to beat the Dutchwoman in 2021, Kipyegon says there is no magic bullet to overcome the world champion.
"I believe in the importance of training hard and focusing ahead. Even when you are in competition, just focus and trust in yourself."
