Faith Kipyegon (front) of Kenya competes during the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
PARIS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Faith Kipyegon set a new Games record as she secured her third straight Olympic 1,500m title on Saturday.
Kipyegon finished in three minutes, 51.29 seconds to shave almost two seconds off her own Olympic record set in Tokyo three years ago.
Australian Jessica Hull claimed silver in 3:52.56 and Britain's Georgia Bell took bronze in 3:52.61.
"I knew the Olympic record was going to go down today, because all the women were very strong, everybody was in good shape and everybody was going for this gold medal," Kipyegon said.
"This is what was in my mind, just execute and just defend the title."
It was Kipyegon's second medal at the Paris Games, having claimed silver in the 5,000m.
"After what I went through over the 5,000, I didn't sleep until yesterday. So making it through today is really ... I don't even know how to express this," she said.
"I really thank all the people who supported me, my management, my coach, my family, my friends all over the world, for telling me you've got this over the 1,500, you're going to make it."
"This was just absolutely making history is what I was aiming for."
"Anybody can win, it's anybody's race. So for me to just win and make history, unbelievable. I'm still like I'm crazy or something."
Kipyegon did not rule out an attempt for a fourth consecutive gold medal in the event at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
"Since I started in 2016, all my Olympics have been running really good," she said. "I hope to continue this way and still motivate young women and young girls all over the world." ■
Faith Kipyegon (front) of Kenya celebrates after the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya poses with her new olympic record after the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Faith Kipyegon (front) of Kenya competes during the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya celebrates after the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya celebrates after the women's 1500m final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
