Faith Kipyegon wins gold medal in women’s 1500m during the Olympic Games Paris. [AFP]
When triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon blazed the track in an attempt to break the four minutes barrier in the women’s Mile, an entire nation rallied behind her.
During the Thursday night Breaking4 attempt, Kenya was still reeling from the deadly Gen Z nationwide protests. But the nation stood united, cheering Kenya’s golden girl to history.
Millions of Kenyans following the spectacular exhibition live cheered in support of Kipyegon’s dream of becoming the first woman to run under four minutes in the Mile at the iconic Stade Charlety in Paris, France.
Kenyans demonstrated to the world that they would always unite and rally behind their own while defending their country’s greatness. Eventually, Kipyegon did not achieve her sub-four minutes dream in the Mile but no Kenyan chastised her after running an unofficial time of 4:06.42. They chose to celebrate her for daring to dream.
The queen of track ran 1.22 seconds faster than her official World Record of 4:07.64. Through Kipyegon’s performance in the Nike challenge, Kenyans demonstrated unique sense of unity and purpose.
In May 2017, Marathon king Eliud Kipchoge participated in Breaking2 challenge, a sub-two hour attempt in the 42km distance but fell short by 25 seconds. Kenyans cheered and celebrated him despite not hitting the target. Two years later (in October 2019), Kipchoge achieved what was believed to be impossible. He ran 1:59:40 at the INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna, Austria.
Drawing from Kipchoge’s persistence, Kenyans expressed hope of Kipyegon running under four minutes in the Mile soon. But has Kenya picked lessons from its finest sports personalities, Kipyegon and Kipchoge?
By now, the political class must have learnt that Kenyans rally behind genuine intentions and aspirations that will raise the country’s profile, whether those initiatives succeed or not.
At the finish line of the Breaking4 attempt, Kipyegon wrapped herself in the Kenyan flag, an indicator that she represented the nation. In celebrating her, Kenyans proved they celebrate actions whose intentions are weaved in nationhood.
At only 31, Kipyegon sent a strong message to Kenya; that the country’s younger generation had a huge potential and only required undivided support from their nation, and they will pursue their dreams with integrity. They only want their government to inspire them.
Nike invested in Kipyegon’s attempt, deploying its latest kit and shoe technologies with an intention of enabling her to achieve her dream. It’s prudent that Kenya, as a nation, listens to the dreams of its youth and gives nothing but full support.
Kipyegon’s attempt was another hint at what unites Kenyans amid adversities. Support dreams and aspirations of the youth, including the now restless Gen Z.
By Editorial