Unfortunate Evening for Track and Field Community As Faith Kipyegon Announces Disappointing Eugene Diamond League Update

Two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon was poised to make her mark on the track once again, this time taking on the 5000m at the esteemed Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on May 25th. Yet, it’s been almost a year since she etched her name into the annals of athletic history by obliterating the world record over the same distance at the Wanda Diamond League in Paris last season. However, a recent statement from her has left the track and field community disheartened.

Faith Kipyegon recently provided an update on Instagram, announcing her exit from Diamond League. She shared her training journey, expressing her determination for the upcoming season. Despite a minor setback with a muscle issue a few weeks back, she’s been diligently building her form and is now back in full training mode. Her focus is squarely set on kicking off her season in four weeks’ time at the Kenyan Trials for the Olympic Games. While she won’t be gracing the Prefontaine Classic this year, she acknowledges its significance as one of the premier competitions in the circuit and looks forward to returning to compete there in 2025.

It’s worth noting, that last year, Kipyegon’s triumph in the women’s category was outstanding as she set three world records in the 1500m, the mile, and the 5,000m. Her achievements earned her the prestigious title of track athlete of the year, alongside Noah Lyles, who secured three gold medals at the world championships in Budapest. However, again this time the anticipation surrounding Kipyegon at the Prefontaine Classic was palpable, fueled by her exceptional track record and deep ties to the event.

However, in June 2023, she amazed the world with a remarkable 14:05.20 in the 5,000m. However, despite this exceptional achievement, her record-breaking run occurred outside the Olympic qualification window, requiring her to make another qualifying attempt to secure her spot in Paris. The qualifying standard for the 5,000m stands at 14:52.00, a mark that Kipyegon had previously surpassed but must achieve again within the designated window spanning from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Despite the pressure of meeting this qualification standard, Kipyegon’s journey till now showed her ascent to new heights in athletics.

From Olympic gold to shocking withdrawal of Faith Kipyegon – what’s next?

Faith Kipyegon has had a track and field career marked by accomplishments. Raised in Ndabibit, Kenya, she transitioned from a childhood of rural farm life to international acclaim, discovering her talent at 14 in a spontaneous race, propelling her to her Olympic debut at 18 and subsequent victories, including two world 1500m titles. In 2018, amidst track and field’s hiatus, she recalibrated for future endeavors, underscoring her relentless pursuit of greatness. She clinched gold medals in the 1,500m event, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the World Athletics Championships in 2017, 2022, and 2023.

Recognized as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2017, Kipyegon’s achievements have consistently captivated the global athletics community. Additionally, as a mother, she clinched her first international race victory in June 2019 and went on to secure a silver medal at that year’s World Championship, setting a Kenyan record time. However, her recent withdrawal from the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, a city where she has previously tasted victory and triumph, has not only cast a shadow over her preparations for Paris but has also left fans and competitors alike eagerly awaiting her next move.