Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning her third consecutive gold in the women’s 1500m, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29.
On the final night of track action at the Stade de France, Kipyegon delivered a masterful performance, becoming the first athlete, male or female, to win gold in the 1500m at three different Games.
“It’s a big, big achievement,” an elated Kipyegon said after her victory. “I was really looking forward to defending my title (from the last two Olympic Games), and I had a dream. It’s amazing to me, I completed it. I’m so, so happy. This is history. I managed to make history. I’ve done it. This is an amazing honor, to win the gold medal in the 1500. It was my key target.”
Jessica Hull of Australia secured the silver medal with a time of 3:52.56, while Great Britain’s Georgia Bell claimed bronze, setting a national record of 3:52.61.
“It’s all a bit of a blur,” said bronze medalist Bell. “I think it’ll hit me a little bit later. On the start (line) I really had the feeling that if I just stuck in there I’d be able to do something special, so I’m over the moon to get a medal.”
Kipyegon, the world record holder in the 1500m with a time of 3:49.04 set earlier this year in Paris, had already won silver in the 5,000m at these Games behind compatriot Beatrice Chebet. In the 1500m, the distance she has dominated, Kipyegon sprinted to the finish line to secure her third Olympic title and break the Olympic record she previously set at Tokyo 2020.
History was made across the podium, with Bell breaking the British record and Hull becoming the first Australian to medal in the event. Yet, the day belonged to World Athlete of the Year Kipyegon, whose near-unbeatable form over the metric mile continues to astonish the world.
