'You have to learn how to handle it'- Faith Kipyegon shares tips on conquering fan pressure

Faith Kipyegon shares tips on conquering fan pressure

'You have to learn how to handle it'- Faith Kipyegon shares tips on conquering fan pressure

Abigael Wafula 13:00 - 15.12.2024

Faith Kipyegon has shared a few tips with elite athletes on how they can conquer fan pressure and deliver in high-profile races.

Having competed on the greatest stages in the world, Faith Kipyegon has shared tips on how to overcome pressure as an elite athlete.

The three-time world 1500m champion is undoubtedly one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history and she admitted to feeling some sort of pressure when going to compete in global events.

Kipyegon is always aware that fans are always looking forward to seeing her run and they have their expectations but was quick to note that she cannot satisfy the needs of everyone around her, hence finding a creative way to deal with that.

She revealed that before going for a race, she always watches a relaxing movie and tries as much as possible to block the outside noise and focus solely on her race, with her main motivation coming from her daughter Alyn and the next generation of runners.

“In everything you do, you must learn how to handle pressure…it comes from every corner. You are a champion, you are an Olympic champion, a two-time Olympic champion, you know and we are waiting for the third one,” Faith Kipyegon told Engage Talk.

“You have to block your ears and just let things flow and be yourself. If you let people come close to you, you are likely to lose focus because if you give yourself pressure, you will not perform. Normally I always watch funny movies and try to relax and try to laugh, I’m always a smiling queen. I try to smile, remove everything in my mind and just focus and remember the next generation.”

Going to the Paris Olympic Games, she had a lot of pressure to deliver. Kipyegon had started her season a bit late due to an injury and had raced sparingly in the build-up to the Olympic Games.

However, breaking her world record at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris was a sign that she was in great shape and ready to tackle the events. A lot happened in the 5000m and she ended up getting a silver medal, something that her daughter did not take lightly.

She narrated that her daughter cried the whole night, insisting that she wanted a gold medal and Faith Kipyegon had to work smart in the 1500m to get the gold. There was tough competition in the 1500m but having shook off the pressure, Faith Kipyegon delivered the gold in great fashion.