President William Ruto on Friday evening led Kenyans in congratulating athletes Faith Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omnayala.
Kipyegon broke the 1500m World Record in Florence, Italy while Omanyala finished second in the 100 metres men’s category.
“Hardwork, determination and consistency has been crowned this evening. Congratulations Faith Kipyegon for shattering the 1500m World Record in Florence, Italy and writing your name in the history of athletics,” Ruto said.
“Kenya also salutes Ferdiomanyala for second position in 100m. Keep going,” he added.
Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga also shared his congratulatory message.
“Faith Kipyegon, congratulations on your fantastic and spectacular feat of breaking the 1500m WORLD RECORD at the Florence Diamond League! Your run was amazing!” he said.
Faith set a women’s 1500 metres world record, clocking 3:49.11 at the third Diamond League meeting of the season in Florence on Friday.
The Kenyan athlete, winner of the last two Olympic 1500m golds and the 2017 and 2022 world titles, bettered the previous mark of 3:50.07 set by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in 2015.
Kipyegon finished well ahead of Britain’s second-placed Laura Muir and the Australian Jessica Hull in third, with Kipyegon’s rivals crowding around to congratulate her after the race.
“I’m so happy for Faith,” Muir said. “I would have loved to be closer to her. But for the first race of the season this is really decent. I have never gone through the first 800m as fast as today.”
