Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Highlight Training Facility Crisis

Kenya’s Top Athletes Highlight Training Facility Challenges

Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have voiced concerns about the lack of quality and sufficient training facilities available to Kenyan athletes. Their remarks came after they returned to Kenya following their record-breaking performances at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, where they made history on the global stage.

Kenyans have long relied on the Rift Valley region, especially around Eldoret, as a hub for elite athletic training. This area has been central to the development of many top athletes, including Kipyegon, Chebet, and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. However, despite this rich legacy, the infrastructure supporting these athletes remains underdeveloped.

One of the most well-known training venues, Kipchoge Keino Stadium, has been undergoing indefinite renovations for several years. This facility has historically played a crucial role in preparing Kenyan athletes for international competitions. Yet, its prolonged closure has created significant challenges for athletes like Kipyegon, who needed access to the stadium during her preparation for the Breaking4 attempt to run a sub-four-minute mile.

Record-Breaking Performances at the Prefontaine Classic

At the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Kipyegon and Chebet delivered standout performances that will be remembered in athletics history. Chebet made headlines by breaking the 5000m world record with a time of 13:58.06, becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in that distance. She overtook Gudaf Tsegay in the final 200 meters to secure a dominant victory.

Kipyegon, who had previously fallen short in her attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes, made amends at the event. She improved her own world record in the women’s 1500m by 0.36 seconds, clocking 3:48.68. This marks the third time she has broken the world record in the 1500m, solidifying her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.

Together, Kipyegon and Chebet now hold a combined five world records. Chebet has previously broken the 10,000m and 5km world records, while Kipyegon holds the mile record.

Calls for Better Facilities

Upon their return to Kenya, Kipyegon and Chebet were welcomed as heroes at the airport before meeting with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. During a press conference, they used the opportunity to address the issue of inadequate training facilities.

Kipyegon expressed her frustration with the challenges she faced while preparing for the Breaking4 attempt. “My preparations have been challenging, particularly regarding training. To become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile, I went through a lot,” she said. She also highlighted the disappointment of finding Kipchoge Keino Stadium closed when she needed it most. “My request is to renovate the track for the benefit of current and future athletes.”

Chebet echoed Kipyegon’s sentiments, emphasizing the struggles athletes face due to poor infrastructure. “We endure a lot in training, and as Kipyegon experienced, the facilities aren’t always up to standard. We are not asking for much, just adequate training facilities.”

Former world champion Milcah Chemos also spoke out about the difficulties athletes face. “We don’t have those facilities in Kenya. You can imagine the struggle. They are training on the roads, and then Kenyans expect them to perform well, but we haven’t supported them with proper facilities. There are no facilities, especially for middle and long-distance athletes. We should not demand a lot from them,” she said.

What’s Next for the Stars?

After their recent world records, Kipyegon and Chebet will focus on recovery before ramping up their preparations for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. Kipyegon is set to compete in the 3000m at the Diamond League in Silesia, Poland, on August 16. Meanwhile, Chebet, who won Olympic gold in the 5000m and 10,000m at the Paris Olympics, is expected to participate in one or two races before the Tokyo event.

Recognition and Rewards

In a separate report, it was revealed that the Kenyan government will reward Kipyegon and Chebet with millions for their outstanding achievements. Each athlete will receive KSh 5 million, in addition to the tens of millions they earned from the Diamond League and the Olympics in Paris. These rewards reflect the nation’s recognition of their contributions to Kenyan sports.