New world record holder Beatrice Chebet believes Kenya’s 5000m team has what it takes to win all the medals at the Tokyo World Championships in September.
The double Olympic champion who spoke at Talanta Plaza on Tuesday and also at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night said her main focus now was the World Championships.
“A World Championship gold is the only medal I don’t have at the moment and my focus going to Tokyo is a gold medal. I know it will not be easy but with teamwork everything is possible,” Chebet said.
“It will not be easy, I can’t say I am going to Tokyo to just pick gold without working hard. I know there will be a strong team from team and other countries, but I will try my best to win gold.
“I believe with a team of Faith (Kipyegon), Agnes (Ngetich) and Ekidor (Margaret), we can sweep the medals in the 5000m in Tokyo,” Chebet, who won 10,000m and 5000m at the Olympics in Paris last year said.
Chebet became the first woman to run the women’s 5000m in under 14 minutes, timing a world record of 13:58.06 at the Eugene Diamond League meeting on Saturday.
Chebet’s 5000m record came just over a year after she had become the first ever female athlete to clock a sub-29 in the women’s 10,000m, running a world record of 28:54.14 at the same venue.
Both Chebet and 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon were each awarded Sh5 million by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya yesterday.
Kipyegon who was fresh from attempting the sub-4 minute in the mile in France, lowered her 1500m record by 36 seconds clocking 3:48.68 in Eugene also on Saturday.
“It is a huge achievement for me breaking my own world record every year from 2023 and until now I am breaking my own world record. I thank God for that,She said.
“I can’t say what I did in Eugene was a revenge mission after failing to break four in Paris. Breaking 4 was to send a message to the world that breaking four minutes in the mile is possible.
“It was also about inspiring the young generation out there, inspire young women out there to dare and dream,” Kipyegon said.
The Prefontaine Classic Eugene Diamond League meeting also acted as trials for Kenya to pick the men and women’s 5000m and 10,000m squads for the Tokyo World Championships on September 13-21.
While receiving accolades from the State yesterday for smashing the world records, both Kipyegon and Chebet decried state of athletics facilities in the country.
Mvurya has described Kipyegon and Chebet as game changers who have redefined the sport of athletics across the globe.
“Faith, you are a living legend; by shattering the world record you have cemented your storied legacy as the greatest female middle distance runner.
“Beatrice, your historic run has redefined the landscape of long distance running. You have done something many thought was miles away,” Mvurya said.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei said the national trials for the World Championships will be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex on July 22.
“We will also be issuing the criteria for competing in the national trials because you cannot just come. There are some conditions you must meet and only those who have met them will be invited,” Tuwei said.