Faith Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic champion in the 1500 meters, is now chasing an even bigger goal. The Kenyan athlete will attempt to run a mile in under four minutes on June 26 in Paris.
Kipyegon set the official women’s mile world record in 2023 with a time of 4:07.64. To achieve her new goal, she would need to run nearly eight seconds faster than her current best.
However, this attempt will not be recognized as an official world record. That’s because Kipyegon will be running in a trial event using technologically advanced training shoes provided by Nike.
“I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, ‘what else?’, why not dream outside the box?” Kipyegon said.
“I want this attempt to say to women, ‘you can dream and make your dreams valid’.”
She also shared how becoming a mother changed her perspective:
“Becoming a mother has changed my entire mental attitude. You have to engage yourself, you have to show your child the way.”
Kipyegon is the only woman in history to win Olympic gold in the 1500 meters at three consecutive Games. That’s why this new goal might not be out of reach for her.
The men’s mile world record is held by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, who ran it in 3:43.13. If Kipyegon succeeds, she will have posted a time not far from that historic mark.