LEAP OF FAITH
THE KENYAN HAS RISEN TO THE RANKS OF OLYMPIC CHAMPION OVER 1500M, BUT SHE AND HER COACH BELIEVE SHE CAN GO FURTHER UP IN DISTANCE, WRITES STEVEN MILLS
AS SOON as the long-striding Faith Kipyegon won the junior race at the 2011 World Cross Country Championships barefoot in Punta Umbria, the Kenyan was widely tipped for senior stardom on the track.
Kipyegon’s profile continued to rise as she quickly added to her title haul by winning the world youth and world junior 1500m titles in back-to-back years, and a fast time to win the world junior title in Barcelona was followed by a surprise call-up to represent Kenya at the London Olympics.
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PICTURES: MARK SHEARMAN
“London was my first experience with the Olympic Games,” remembers Kipyegon, who embraced – and enjoyed – her time in London 2012 even though she was eliminated in the heats despite leading at the bell. “I liked it and enjoyed it a lot. It also was different from other races as I came from junior to senior. It was my first big race competing with seniors.”