Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon made history on Saturday after becoming the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic 1,500m gold medals with a superb display of middle-distance running.
The 30-year-old 2016 and 2020 1500m champion produced a tactical masterpiece at the Stade de France to take gold in a new Olympic record of 3min 51.29sec.
Australia’s Jessica Hull took silver in 3:52.56 while Britain’s Georgia Bell claimed bronze in 3:52.61.
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It was another remarkable performance by Kipyegon, the reigning world champion who can now arguably lay claim to being the greatest women’s middle-distance runner in history.
The win capped a roller coaster Olympic campaign for Kipyegon, who was disqualified after finishing second in the women’s 5,000m on Monday before later being reinstated.
“After what I went through over the 5,000m, I didn’t sleep until yesterday,” Kipyegon said after Saturday’s win.
“I want to thank all the people that supported me – my coach, my management, my fans for telling me ‘You’ve got this over the 1500, You’re going to make it.’
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“Making history is what I was aiming for and I really thank god for this.”
Kipyegon added she had promised her daughter she would deliver 1,500m gold after missing out in the 5,000m.
“I told my daughter, ‘I’m going to make you proud in the 1,500m,'” she said.
Faith Kipyegon makes history
“It was anybody’s race. So for me to make history. Unbelievable. I’m crazy or something. I’m really really happy.”
Kipyegon had bided her time early in the race, allowing Gudaf Tsegay to set the pace before moving up onto the Ethiopian’s shoulder just after the first lap.
Tsegay continued to lead at the bell but faded quickly and dropped back as Kipyegon accelerated into first place.
With 200m to go, Kipyegon kicked for home and though Hull and Bell pursued they never looked liked finding the speed necessary to catch the Kenyan as she scampered across the line to clinch her unprecedented Olympic 1,500m treble.
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