The duo standing between Faith Kipyegon's quest of being the greatest 1500m runner ever

The duo standing between Faith Kipyegon's quest of being the greatest 1500m runner ever

Abigael Wafula 06:00 - 10.07.2024

Without a doubt, Faith Kipyegon is the greatest 1500m female runner, however, two men are standing in her way of becoming the greatest runner ever.

Faith Kipyegon is undoubtedly the greatest 1500m female runner of this generation, thanks to her dominance over the distance.

In the women’s rankings by World Athletics, the world record holder ranks first with 1295 points, edging the likes of Genzebe Dibaba and Gudaf Tsegay to second and third place with 1287 and 1285 points.

Kipyegon continued etching her name in the annals of history following her striking performance at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France, just days away from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The double world record holder shattered her own world record, clocking 3:49.04 to cross the finish line.

The 30-year-old destroyed her previous world record set at Diamond League Meeting in Florence, Italy in 2023, where she clocked 3:49.11 to win the race.

However, Kipyegon has two opponents standing in her way to become the greatest 1500m runner in the world regardless of gender.

Hicham El Guerrouj, a retired Moroccan middle-distance runner who has managed to stay on top of the chain but Kipyegon is slowly catching up with him. El Guerrouj is the current world record holder for the 1500m and mile events, and is also the former world record holder in the 2000m.

He is the only man since Paavo Nurmi to win a gold medal in both the 1500m and 5000m at the same Olympic Games, oozing class during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

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He holds seven of the 10 fastest times ever run in the 1500m and won a gold medal in the 1500m at the 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 World Championships. Guerrouj has 1302 points with Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat, also retired, ranking second with 1297 points over the distance.

The duo is the only threat standing in the way of the two-time Olympic 1500m champion. However, having retired, Kipyegon is just a few events away from claiming the coveted honours.

As she heads to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the mother of one has plans to win her third Olympic title in the 1500m and with what fans saw in Paris, the Olympic Games are definitely going to be lit.