Faith Kipyegon might have started her season late, but an outstanding 2024 has seen the Kenyan 1500m gem bag more money than some renowned athletes worldwide.
The mother of one made a clean sweep in all the races she participated in, including a record-breaking feat at the Paris Olympics.
Athletes are entitled to hefty cash rewards when they make the podium places and Kipyegon’s gold medal heroics guaranteed her the biggest share of the prize money.
It all started at the Kenyan Olympics trials in June, where Kipyegon almost effortlessly cruised past, sealing her ticket in both 1500m and 5000m events.
Athlete Faith Kipyegon celebrates after winning a gold medal in Paris.
Photo
Kipchumba Murkomen
Her first major event came in July at the Paris Diamond League where she shattered her own world record to clock 3:49.04. This feat saw her walk away with a cheque of Ksh7.7 million (USD 60,000). For winning the race, she bagged Ksh 1.3 million (USD 10,000) while the Ksh 6.4 million (USD 50,000) came as a bonus for breaking a world record at a Diamond League meeting.
That win at the Diamond League was a prelude for bigger things to come as Kipyegon followed it up by becoming the first female athlete to defend her 1500m gold medal twice at the Olympics.
With gold medallists at the Olympics getting Ksh 6.4 million (USD 50,000), Kipyegon’s win meant more money in her bank account.
In the 5000m at the Olympics, she won a silver medal, finishing behind compatriot Beatrice Chebet but unfortunately, the World Athletics only rewards gold medallists in this category. Fortunately for her, however, more cash rewards awaited her at home.
In Kenya, Kipyegon was feted with Ksh5 million from the government’s kitty, since all gold medallists from the Olympics were awarded Ksh3 million while silver medallists got Ksh2 million.
Kipyegon was not done, as there was a Diamond League meeting in Rome which she won the 1500m to bag another KSh 1.3 million (USD 10,000). This victory sealed her place at the final in Brussels where she won her fifth Diamond League Trophy.
Victory in Brussels saw her bag Ksh3.9 million (USD 30,000) and while her colleagues signed out for the season, Kipyegon was selected to feature in the Athlos NYC in New York for a chance to bag her highest winnings yet.
The winner of each event of the women-only race bagged an enviable Ksh7.7 million and as expected, Kipyegon did not disappoint in the 1500m, claiming her final victory of the season.
The women’s-only event in New York had an enviable cash prize of $60,000 for each race winner and Kipyegon did not disappoint, claiming victory in her specialty 1500m to take home the big cheque.
From track events alone, Kipyegon earned a whopping Ksh27 million (USD 270,000). Factoring in the cash goodies received from the government, the 30-year-old secured northwards of Ksh32 million in only four months.
Kipyegon, despite her unmatchable feat, still hopes to go from stride to stride in the next athletics season.
It was a great way to end the season after the Olympics and the Diamond League,” she said after her Athlos meet win. “It has given me a lot of drive and hunger for next season because basically, I achieved so much that I had planned.”
Faith Kipyegon wins the Diamond League in Paris on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Photo
Wanda Diamond League
