Multiple Olympic Gold medalists Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have been honored with the Academy of Achievement Award following their stellar performances in 2024.
The duo, who took the athletics world by storm in the recently ended 2024 season, received the coveted laurel during a colorful ceremony held at the Lincoln Centre Plaza in New York, United States.
The ceremony was attended by Kenya’s President William Ruto, who is in the country for the United Nations General Assembly.
President Ruto congratulated Chebet and Kipyegon for the incredible achievement, stating that it will make budding runners hungrier for success.
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“Congratulations Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for being recognized and awarded by the Academy of Achievement.
The extraordinary honour is a solid tribute to your hard work, talent and dedication to athletics. No doubt, it will inspire upcoming athletes and help shape our country’s sports,” read part of his statement.
The Academy of Achievement is one of the non-profit organizations in the universe that connects young achievers with people who have transformed the world and was established 60 years ago.
It recognizes high achievers in public service, business, science and exploration, sports, and the arts.
Chebet completed her season less than two weeks ago in the Wanda Diamond League final that was held in Brussels, Belgium.
Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet pose with President Ruto
At the event, the athlete, who became the first Kenyan to win the 5000m and 10000m Olympic Games titles early this year in Paris, bagged the Diamond League trophy.
She produced a monstrous performance, running alone for the bigger part of the race to cross the finishing line in.
On the other hand, Kipyegon also won the trophy in the 1500m discipline – the fifth in her remarkable career.
Besides that, the mother of one become the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic Games title over the distance in Paris.
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Kipyegon is expected to end her season at the inaugural Athlos event scheduled for September 26 at the Icahn Stadium in New York.
The Athlos event is organized by Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian and it is only meant for female athletes.
Other Kenyans who are expected to take part in the competition are the reigning 800m world champion Mary Moraa and middle distance runner Susan Lokayo Ejore.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke