All set to rock the Paris Olympics is the top-tier mom athlete Faith Kipyegon! Her coach knew she had struck gold when he said, “We changed a few things in training because we wanted her.” This move paid off as Kipyegon smashed world records in the 1500 meters, mile (4:07.64 in Monaco), and 5,000 meters (14:05.20 in Paris), clinching six world titles and two Olympic gold medals. At 30, under her coach’s wing, Kipyegon continues to hit the ground running, blazing trails toward even greater achievements.

Her record-breaking performance on July 7th at the Paris Diamond League, where she clocked 3:49.04 in the 1500m, marked a monumental breakthrough. Kipyegon surged ahead, shaving 0.07 seconds off her previous record set in Florence back in June 2023. Now, she is ready to return to Paris as a leading contender for the gold in her strong suits – 1500m and 5000m, with all credit because of her coach who meticulously sharpened her skills to a razor-sharp edge.

Patrick Sang sharpened the skills of Faith Kipyegon

Since 2019, Faith Kipyegon has been guided by 1992 Olympic steeplechase silver medallist Patrick Sang. Every training session he provided was meticulously planned, and every track was split exactly. With uncompromising dedication, Kipyegon has risen to monumental achievements under Sang’s mentorship. When she first arrived at Kaptagat, Sang set simpler goals for the 2016 Olympic and 2017 world 1500m champion. And she did it!

Despite a decorated career with multiple Olympic and World Championship medals, Kipyegon had yet to secure a world record. However, 2023 proved transformative as she shattered three world records. She began by smashing the 1500m record at the Diamond League Meeting in Florence, followed by breaking the 5000m record in Paris and culminating with a world record in the one-mile event in Monaco.

This was possible when Sang emphasized the importance of strategic training adjustments that allowed her to excel in new challenges, including the 5000m. “Faith started the season with a lot of optimism. She felt like she had done good work,” said Sang. “She had the focus. We changed a few things in training because we wanted her to also try the 5000m.” Little did they anticipate that within a week, she would not only break the 1500m world record but also the 5000m mark. She added the mile record to her accolades with a time of 4:07.64. But how was it possible after motherhood?

Sang stood as the pillar of strength for the Kenyan track and field star

As a new mother to her daughter Alyn, born in June 2018, Faith Kipyegon faced the challenge of balancing early motherhood with elite athletics. But here again, Sang played a crucial role in her journey back to peak performance. He tailored training sessions to accommodate her new responsibilities. He provided support and strategic guidance, allowing Kipyegon to gradually regain her competitive edge while spending valuable time with her family.

Adjusting back to peak race shape meant spending weekdays at the camp and cherishing precious hours with her daughter on weekends. Despite the challenges, Kipyegon’s return to elite competition culminated in a silver lining at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Kipyegon embraces her role as a motivational figure for women worldwide, aiming to prove that motherhood should never hinder one’s ambitions.

Her journey continues to soar with victories defending her Olympic 1500m title in Tokyo, reclaiming the world title in Oregon, and now preparing for the Paris Olympics. Her achievements are truly the icing on the cake. How about you? Share your thoughts below!