•Fighting back tears, Kipyegon said she would use part of the money to buy a new car for her father.
•The President also gave the Immigration Department instructions to grant diplomatic passports to local athletes, who fly the national flag high during international competitions.
Image: PSCU
Kenyan track queen Faith Kipyegon said she 'feels valued' after receiving State House goodies worth Sh11 million following an unforgettable week in which she set two back-to-back world records.
The two-time Olympic champion broke the world record in her 1,500m specialty at the Florence Diamond League and lowered the 5,000m mark a week later in Paris.
Upon return home, Kipgeyon was, alongside her family, hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi where she received a cash reward of Sh5 million and a house worth Sh6 million in Nairobi’s Park Road.
President Ruto also announced a new award scheme for athletes who set world records.
“I don’t have the words to convey how I truly feel right now. I’m so excited. I’m moved to be here. I feel valued,” Kipyegon said.
“It makes my heart happy to return home and have this kind of reception. It’s a great and welcome surprise because I wasn’t anticipating it."
She lavished praise on her family and her Kenyan fans for inspiring her to victory.
“I was in Paris alongside many Kenyans and their inspiration and support helped me set a world record,” she said.
She said the 5,000m record was a major surprise.
“I distinctly recall asking my coach if there was a competitor who would break the 5000m world record because running the distance in 14:06 is not an easy feat. I had no idea that I would be the one to pull off that feat,” she observed.
Fighting back tears, Kipyegon said she would use part of the money to buy a new car for her father.
The father was also at State House alongside the mother as well as Kipyegon's husband Timothy Kitum — 2012 Olympic Games 800m bronze medallist— and their daughter.
“I can finally buy my father a car. I promised to gift him a new vehicle if I break the world record,” said an emotional Kipyegon.
Image: PSCU
President Ruto said: “Our athletes represent Kenya all over the world and we will honour and reward them appropriately.”
“A world record breaker will be rewarded Sh5 million and considered for a diplomatic passport and other national honours under our new plan to recognise our gifted achievers in sports and the creative.”
The President also gave the Immigration Department instructions to grant diplomatic passports to local athletes, who fly the national flag high during international competitions.
“We are going to make sure that these wonderful Kenyan ambassadors can move throughout the world with ease. I have also requested that the government review the reward scheme so that we can appropriately recognise and reward the men and women who achieve excellence in sports, arts and creative economy,” President Ruto stated.
The Head of State also said his administration has launched a blueprint to upgrade sports infrastructure.
“We will provide the best infrastructure for our athletes and artists so that they can thrive,” he said.
Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala was also State House where his earlier plea to the President for some “tea” was fulfilled when he received a Sh2 million incentive for his exploits on the track.
He asked the President to renovate the track at Moi Stadium, Kasarani, where he trains.
“I work out at Kasarani and the warm-up track is in bad shape, so if you can work on that as we prepare for the Olympics, it would be a great pleasure,” he said.
Other athletes who graced the occasion were the 800m prodigy Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Commonwealth Games 800m champion Mary Moraa, world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, two-time World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and the 2017 world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui.