Kenya’s Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon defeated world record holder Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, leaving her with nothing to chase in a race that saw Kenya win her third gold medal at the Rio Olympics, in the women’s 1500 meters track race in a time of 4:08:92.
The race was a very competitive run between Kenya, Ethiopia, and the USA.
Kipyegon and Dibaba kept a close eye on each other most of the race until the run became an intense battle in the last laps for the first position. Kipyegon who previously finished behind Dibaba at the world championships, created an incredible 1.35-second margin lead over Dibaba, pulling away from the world record holder in the last half of the lap.
The Kenyan gold medallist winner kept Dibaba at bay, strategically forcing her into a second position within 250 meters of the last lap as she distanced herself. Dibaba finished in at 4:10:27.
After the game, Kipgyegon said, “I didn’t believe I could win, but I thank God for helping me to win here in Rio. It’s my first Olympics, and I’m so excited.”
Dibaba’s world record of 3:50:07 at the world championships last year, was a dazing performance which established her as a dominant middle distance runner. However, her form has taken a dip lately.
At the Rio games, she has faced some skepticism after her coach Jama Aden was involved in a doping scandal in Spain. Following the scandal, there was an international outcry asking for Dibaba to be tested.
After the race, Dibaba assured reporters through her interpreter that she was “crystal clean,” and had been tested “four, five, six” times in the build-up to the Olympics.
“The rumors roaming around the world are deeply affecting me,” said Dibaba, who won silver. “I have communication with Jama. It’s solely, purely and solely, training and execution and competition. And this (the rumors) adversely affected my performance, my psychology. I’m completely and crystal clean from doping.”
Jenny Simpson of the United States won Bronze with 4:10.53.
Winnie Mutekanga contributed to this article.
Featured Photo: Kenya’s Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon celebrates winning the gold medal in the Women’s 1500 meters Final (Photo Courtesy: Olivier Morin / Getty)
