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Track and field stars are set to take a well-earned break following what has been a tough season that included the Paris Olympics but where are they going to unwind?
The track and field season has come to an end for most athletes and is now time to take stock of their 2024 achievements as they plot a strong 2025 campaign.
Taking a break means a vacation for some while others just want to spend time with family after many moths of being away on training and for competitions.
So, what are the holiday plans for some of the globe’s track and field stars?
Faith Kipyegon
Olympics 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon will complete what has been a memorable season at the ATHLOS NYC, a women’s-only track event, set to take place in New York on September 26.
Kipyegon started her 2024 season late but still made sure it was a success with Olympics gold in 1,500m, her third straight, silver in 5,000m, a world record and a Diamond League trophy.
Unlike some of her track colleagues, Kipyegon is not planning a vacation after her race in New York.
“My last race of the season will be in New York and then I go back to my family. They have missed me a lot, especially my daughter – I’ve been home-out, home-out and now is the time to give back to my family and just enjoy the holiday,” Kipyegon told the media after the Diamond League final in Brussels.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi
Another athlete who is not planning a vacation is Olympics 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi who also clinched a Diamond League trophy in Brussels.
The 20-year-old continues to shatter barriers, being the third fastest man over the distance in history, also achieved in 2024, the year in which he won Olympics gold, but he will not travel out of Kenya to unwind.
“I don’t like enjoying too much during the holidays… I’ll just go and see my mother at home and spend the holiday together with my family,” he told Puravida Sports Africa.
Femke Bol
World 400m hurdles champion Femke Bol, who managed Olympics bronze over distance, and gold in the 4x400m mixed relay, claimed the Diamond League Trophy in Brussels after staying unbeaten and she intends to visit an island to unwind.
“I’ll be moving (during the off-season break). I’ll be in the Netherlands, and I will also be two weeks on an island to enjoy a bit, to see the sun, good food, with my boyfriend,” the Dutch sprinter also told the outlet.
Letsile Tebogo
The Botswana sprinter has admitted he is not a free human being in his country anymore owing to his status as a superstar and he will be looking to take a break away from the southern African country.
"The first place I will go is Greece because I saw Mondo [Armand Duplantis] there and I was like that should be a great place. Then I will go watch Formula One in Doha and Abu Dhabi and it should be enough,” the Olympics 200m champion said after his Diamond League win in Rome.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh
Ukraine’s Olympics long jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh recently admitted how Nairobi holds a special place in her heart so is a visit to Kenyan capital on her bucket list?
“I will celebrate with my team now and then celebrate with my family, and my father… he’s looking forward to that,” she said after winning the Diamond League trophy in Brussels during an interview with Puravida Sports Africa.
With her country still under attack from neighbouring Russia, Mahuchikh feels this is not the time to run away but rather be close to her loved ones.
“Of course, it’s dangerous, and there’s no safe place in Ukraine at the moment. But my parents, my friend are there and I want to spend time with them… I was there last year in October.”
Ferdinand Omanyala
Africa’s fastest man champion Ferdinand Omanyala is planning to take some time off but does not intend to unwind for long after a topsy-savvy 2024 campaign that saw him exit the Olympics at the semi-final stage in 100m.
“I don’t think I will stay out for long because my body is used to training. The most important thing is getting the rest and get back to the drawing board and evaluate the good and bad and see how it’s gonna be,” said Omanyala who wants to right the wrongs of this season in 2025.
Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone
Olympics 400m hurdles champion and world record holder Mclaughlin-Levrone is still undecided on what she will do in the off-season after a terrific campaign that yielded two gold medals.
“I’ve no idea (how long the holiday will be). I’ll just take it one day at a time and enjoy these moments,” said “I’ve no idea (how long the holiday will be). I’ll just take it one day at a time and enjoy these moments,” she said.
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