Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet Push for Better Training Facilities after World Records
- Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have raised concerns about the lack of quality and adequate training facilities in Kenya
- The two superstars were speaking after returning to Kenya following their record-breaking performances at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene
- Kipchoge Keino, the main training venue for Kenya's top athletes, has been under renovation for years
Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have called out the Kenyan government for the inadequate training facilities available to the country's athletes, just days after they shattered world records in Eugene.
Source: Getty Images
Most of Kenya's elite athletes train in the Rift Valley, particularly around Eldoret. Kipyegon, Chebet, and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge have been training in the area for years.
Kipchoge Keino Stadium, a renowned venue for Kenyan track and field athletes, has been a key facility for athletes like Kipyegon. However, it has been undergoing indefinite renovations for the past few years.
How did Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet make history?
Kipyegon and Chebet were on top of the world on Saturday at the 50th Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, breaking world records in their respective races in front of a packed crowd at Hayward Field.
Chebet first smashed the 5000m world record and became the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the distance.
She stunned record holder Gudaf Tsegay in the final 200m to secure a dominant win.
Kipyegon was looking to bounce back after falling short in her Breaking4 attempt to become the first woman to run the mile in under four minutes.
On Saturday, she was not to be denied. She lowered her world record (3:48.68) in the women's 1500m by 0.36 seconds. The triple Olympic champion has now broken the world record in the distance three times.
The duo now hold a combined five world records. Chebet broke the 10,000m and 5km world records last year, while Kipyegon holds the mile record.
What did Kipyegon, Chebet say about training facilities?
The two Olympic gold medallists returned to a hero's welcome at the airport before proceeding to meet Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
In a press conference, they seized the opportunity to address the lack of adequate training facilities. Kipyegon highlighted the challenges she faced while preparing for Breaking4.
"My preparations have been challenging, particularly regarding training. To become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile. I went through a lot," Kipyegon said via journalist Mitchelle Katami.
"I was disappointed that Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret was closed when I needed to train there ahead of Breaking4 mile in Paris. My request is to renovate the truck for the benefit of current and future athletes."
Chebet echoed her compatriot's message.
"We endure a lot in training, and as Kipyegon experienced, the facilities aren’t always up to standard. We are not asking for much, just adequate training facilities."
Former world champion in the women's 3000m steeplechase, Milcah Chemos, exclusively told TUKO.co.ke that athletes are struggling to find good facilities.
"We don't have those facilities in Kenya. You can imagine the struggle. They are training on the road, and then Kenyans expect them to perform well, and we have not supported them with facilities. There are no facilities, especially for middle and long-distance athletes. We should not demand a lot from them," she said.
Source: Getty Images
What next for Chebet and Kipyegon?
The two stars will try and recover after their world records before ramping up their preparations for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
Kipyegon will run in the 3000m at the Diamond League in Silesia, Poland, on August 16
Chebet, who won the 5000m and 10,000m Olympic gold medals at the Paris Olympics, will likely compete in one or two races before Tokyo.
How much did Kipyegon, Chebet get from government?
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Kenyan government will award the two stars with millions for their record-breaking performances.
The two athletes will pocket KSh 5 million each to add to the tens of millions they got from the Diamond League.
They pocketed tens of millions for their success at the Olympics in Paris.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
