US-based Kenyan distance runner Susan Ejore has recounted how racing with three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Olympics was game-changing for her.
Ejore and were Kenya’s sole representatives in the 1500m final with the former fading to a sixth-place finish in the race. Kipyegon claimed her third successive Olympic title in the 1500m.
Faith Kipyegon won her third successive Olympic title at in Paris on Saturday to become the first woman to achieve the feat in the Games' history.
was elated to be in Kipyegon’s presence, pointing out that she had been to the 2022 World Championships in Oregon just to watch the 1500m world record holder and at the time, hoped that she would get a chance to be in a race with her.
“It was amazing…it was a very incredible moment to just get to race with Faith because I’ve been looking up to Faith. When I would be in Oregon, I would sit in the stands and watch her race, at the World Championships, and to get to race with her is incredible,” Ejore said.
She was speaking after claiming third place at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile to end her season on a high. The 28-year-old explained that she gave her all in training this season, something that worked in her favour.
At the , she finished third and secured her first ticket to represent Kenyan on the global stage. Ejore noted that all it took was hard work and believing in herself, knowing that anything is possible.
“The strategy was just to go as hard as I could and it started going too quick from the beginning and you know, the road mile always feels like sprinting all the time, so I was just okay and I just wanted to go and race,” Ejore said.
“I have put so much work into this season and I’ve put more miles and I think it’s working out. My major take is that everything is possible and you just have to put in the work and believe in yourself.”
Faith Kipyegon took a comfortable win, competing in the first semifinal of the women's 1500m heats as Nelly Chepchirchir failed to live up to the billing.