Faith Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay are friends again. Well, apparently. Coming off a bitter rivalry stemming from the 2024 Summer Olympics in the French capital, the duo finally seems to have ended their rivalry off the tracks. In the final race of the season, both Kipyegon and Tsegay hugged each other, much to the delight of the crowd. Competing in the 1500m race of the first ever all-women track and field event, the duo looked to be in a friendly mood while they soaked in the revolution at Athlos NYC.

The entire fiasco started after the conclusion of the 5000-meter race in Paris. Kipyegon, who was a hot favorite to win the race, finished in second place behind Beatrice Chebet of Kenya. While everything seemed to be turning out smoothly, Kipyegon got her world rattled. After a plea from the world record holder Gudaf Tsegay, Kipyegon was disqualified, and her silver medal was scrapped.

Luckily for Kipyegon, things soon turned out to be bright again for the 5000m icon. After an initial appeal from the Kenyan authorities, Kipyegon’s silver medal was soon reinstated. Getting over initial hiccups, Athletics Kenya appointed Milcah Chemos, Bernard Ouma, and team manager Peter Angwenyi to plead Kipyegon’s case.

Upon the successful outcome of the case, the details were analyzed thoroughly by the media. While it was clear that Kipyegon and Tsegay did make contact, it was unclear whether it was intentional. Video footage clearly showed that the contact was initiated from Tsegay’s end, which ultimately resulted in Tsegay finishing last in the race. But in the end, everything got back to normal as Faith Kipyegon had a happy ending to her story. Surprisingly, this was not all. There was more drama to their rivalry. 

In a surprising revelation, Kipyegon claimed that Tsegay had knelt before her! Reacting to the entire fiasco, Faith Kipyegon stated that Gudaf Tsegay knelt and asked for forgiveness from Kipyegon. While this was a bizarre claim, the Kenyan runner further mentioned that she accepted Tsegay’s apology and forgave the athlete. Kipyegon also pointed out that despite the indifferences, she does need Tsegay to keep the fire for success burning within her. The Kenyan runner also sympathized with Tsegay, as she said that having competed in 1500m, 5000m, and the 10000m event, not ending up with a medal surely stings bad.

Well, Kipyegon’s words are not wrong. After all, who doesn’t want a fierce and healthy competition that makes athletes push their limits to extremes? Tsegay and Kipyegon’s combined efforts have been instrumental. Their expertise and shining accolades have led to a wave of female dominance in the realm of long-distance running.

Faith Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay bring the East African flair to track and field

The disqualification fiasco between former and current world champions lit up the track in Paris. Keeping aside the unwanted chaos, both Faith Kipyegon and Gudaf Tsegay are giants in middle- and long-distance running. Representing the African continent, the duo has challenged the dominance of Jamaica and the USA in recent times.

Kipyegon, the Kenyan phenom, once held the 5000m world record, but the Ethiopian queen Tsegay shattered it in 2023. She followed the good work by clocking an incredible 14:00.21 at the Prefontaine Classics during the Diamond League finals. The 27-year-old followed that with a victory at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

Despite a setback in Paris, Tsegay has an Olympic bronze from Tokyo to enhance her cabinet aesthetics. She also excels beyond the 5000m, with golds in the 10,000m and 1500m categories. Yet, a look at Kipyegon’s career achievements adds even more intrigue. Kipyegon has more Olympic experience. She’s competed in three editions since Rio and has won four medals, including three golds in the 1500m.

In Paris, she competed in a different category and added a silver in the 5000m. Her achievements also include four World Championship titles and an impressive five Diamond League golds. Thus, with both athletes looking eager to soar high on the track and field horizon, the world is eager to see how this rivalry develops.