•Kipyegon revealed she has been grappling with a persistent muscle problem, prompting her to withdraw from the meet.
• Last month Kipyegon also pulled out of the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen where she was set to compete in the 1,500m.
Image: XINHUA
World 1,500m and mile record holder, Faith Kipyegon, has withdrawn from the upcoming Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, set for next week citing injury concerns.
The three-time world 1,500m champion was geared up for her first race of the season in the 5,000m, a year after smashing the world record over the distance at the Wanda Diamond League in Paris last season.
In a statement on her social media, Kipyegon revealed she has been grappling with a persistent muscle problem, prompting her to withdraw from the meet.
“I’ve been building in a great way during the past months for a beautiful season ahead. Some weeks back, I got a small muscle problem that was handled well,” Kipyegon stated.
With her season now set to begin during the Olympic Trials in four weeks, Kipyegon affirmed she is back in full training mode.
“I’m now back in full training, focusing on starting my season in four weeks at the Kenyan Trials for the Olympic Games,” she added.
Last month, Kipyegon also pulled out of the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, where she was set to compete in the 1,500m.
The 30-year-old, however, expressed her intentions to return to the championship next year saying: “The Prefontaine Classic is one of the greatest competitions in the circuit and I plan to compete there again in 2025.”
Kipyegon etched herself into athletics history when she shattered three world records in just a month at the Wanda Diamond League in 2023.
She clinched the 1500m (3:49.11) record in Florence and followed it up with a 5000m (14:05.20) record in Paris. She then wrapped up the season with a mile record (4:07.64) in Monaco.
The 5000m record, however, lasted for only three months before being surpassed by Gudaf Tsegay at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, in September.
At the Olympics, Kipyegon is expected to double in the 1,500m and 5,000m following on from last year's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where she posted 3:54.87 in the 1,500m and 14:53.88 in the 12-lap race.
Kenyan athletes, who will feature in the meet include the 10,000m squad (men and women) who will be using the championships to qualify for the Olympics.
Africa’s fastest man Omanyala was also confirmed to take part in the championships with his sights set at Olympic qualification as well.