Faith Kipyegon of Kenya made history on Saturday by winning her third consecutive Olympic 1,500m gold medal, becoming the only athlete to accomplish this feat. Kipyegon pulled ahead in the final lap, finishing in 3:51.29 to shatter the Olympic record. Jessica Hull of Australia won silver, while Georgia Bell of the United Kingdom claimed bronze. Kipyegon, overcome with emotion, slumped after crossing the finish line, hands on her head in shock.
“I was looking forward to defending my crown. It’s amazing: I finished it. “I’m so happy,” Kipyegon remarked, reflecting on her journey from humble beginnings in Kenya’s Rift Valley to become one of the best middle-distance runners.
Kipyegon’s win on Saturday was pleasant because he narrowly avoided disqualification in the 5,000m earlier in the week due to a confrontation with Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. Despite the setback, she recovered stronger, passing Tsegay on the penultimate lap of the 1,500m to win gold, while Tsegay fell to last place.
Hull and Bell fought hard in the home straight, defeating Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji to win the medals. Hull ran 3:52.56, while Bell finished in 3:52.61, a British national record. Bell, 30, made an outstanding Olympic debut after her training companion Keely Hodgkinson’s gold in the 800m.
