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Show of Good Faith: Two World Records Enrich Kenyan Athlete

Twenty-nine-year-old Faith Kipyegon, who has won or finished second in every major championship since 2015, became the first woman to go under three minutes and 50 seconds in the 1,500 meters this month.
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Kenyan President William Ruto has presented distance runner Faith Kipyegon with $35,000 and a key for a new $43,000 house in the capital Nairobi as an award for setting two world records in one week.
The athlete set a new world record in the 1,500 meters on June 2 at the Diamond League in Florence, running it in 3:49.11 and besting the mark Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia set in 2014 by almost a second (3:50.07).
A week later, she broke the world record in the 5,000 meters with a 14:05.20 run at the Diamond League in Paris. The previous best was held by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey with 14:06.62, which she achieved in October 2020.
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After receiving the award, the athlete said she would spend the money on a car for her father.

“When I left for Italy, I promised my father that I would buy him a car if I broke the world record. I did it and I am so happy,” said Kipyegon, adding that the award was "shocking and surprising."

During the ceremony, Ruto called the athlete a "shining example of consistency, discipline, hard work, and family," as well as, a "great Kenyan woman."
The head of state also announced that Kenya would recognize any athlete with a similar reward for breaking a world record in competition.

"In our new plan to appreciate our gifted achievers in sports and the creatives, a world record breaker will be rewarded 5 million Kenyan shillings [$35.000], and be considered for diplomatic passport and other national honors." Ruto said. "Our sportsmen and women brand Kenya globally. We will honor and reward them accordingly."

Commonwealth Games 100-meter champion Ferdinand Omanyala was also on hand to collect a reward of 2 million Kenyan shillings (around $14,000) for his achievement.