1,500 metres and 5,000 metres world record holder Faith Kipyegon was treated to a heroic welcome on Tuesday, June 13, after she landed in the country aboard a Kenya Air Force Jet.
Kipyegon, accompanied by her family members, alighted from the KAF 304 jet – occasionally used by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during official events.
The athlete was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba and Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja.
The CS received 1,500M and 5000 M World Record holder Faith Kipyegon when she jetted back to the country, this morning.
“Namwamba reiterates his ministry’s commitment to honour and reward Kenya’s sportsmen and women, who he says are the goose that lay the golden egg, and the number one branding assets for the country,” read the statement in part.
Kipyegon broke the 1500M world record at the Paris Diamond League after she clocked 3:49.11.
She set another world record at the tournament’s 5,000M race in France weeks after clocking 14:05.20, beating the previous record-holder, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia
“I do not know how I made it. I focused on the green light and tried relaxing and enjoying the race. I just did the race and wanted to see what happens; I was so surprised when I saw that it was a world record.
“It was all about giving my best as I wanted to improve on my (personal best). The world record was not my plan. I just ran after Gidey. She is an amazing lady. It is amazing,” an overwhelmed Kipyegon.
Following the arrival, Kipyegon was also scheduled to meet with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi.
Initially, the world record breaker was to be received by the DP at the airport. However, the meeting was changed for unexplained reasons
In August 2021, the Ministry of Sports came under sharp criticism after government officials failed to receive veteran Eliud Kipchoge
At the time, Kipchoge had won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, two years after being the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon, clocking 1:59:40 in Vienna.