President Ruto hosts Kipyegon, Omanyala, for breakfast at State House
Athletics
By
Dennis Okeyo
| Jun 13, 2023
President William Ruto met double Olympic champion, double world champion and double world record holder Faith Kipyegon and Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala and rewards them for exemplary athletics performances.
Kipyegon set a new world record and well as the national record in 1,500m when she won Florence Diamond League on June 2 in Italy before breaking the 5,000m world record a week later with an explosive victory in Paris Diamond, France.
Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba held the previous 1,500m World record of 3:50.07 set in Monaco in July 15, 2015 while Gidey Letesenbet Gidey also of Ethiopia held the previous 5,000m world record of 14:06.52 attained in Valencia, Spain on October 7, 2020.
In a reversed new scheme of rewarding athletics excellence the government presented Kipyegon Sh.5million and three bedrooms house in Park Road, Nairobi worth Sh.6m for the to records while Omanyala was recognized with Sh.2 million.
Ruto said such achievers will also be facilitated with diplomatic passports and conferred other national honours and privileges.
The Government, he added, is refining necessary policies and facilities to harness the country's potential in sports.
"Our sportsmen and women are heroes who have promoted Kenya's iconic brand globally; we want to acknowledge their invaluable contribution by honouring and rewarding them accordingly."
"Faith stands as a shining role-model for consistency, discipline, hard work and family values. Here is a mother, a wife and a legendary Olympian, multiple World Champion who now holds two brand new world records and is a wife and mother to boot," noted President Ruto.
He lauded the "explosive" sprints African Champion Ferdinand Omanyala and the "fast rising" 800M King and Queen, teenage Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Mary Moraa for making Kenya proud, and encouraged them to keep up their pursuit of a golden future.
Kipyegon and Omanyala were accompanied by marathoners Geoffrey Kamworor, Geoffrey Mutai, Moraa and former steeplechase runner Milcah Chemos.
"I feel appreciated, this great reception. I was not expected this kind of reception. Going to Paris I never thought I will break the 5000m, I still don't believe but it's a great feeling and I want thank all Kenyans for their support,"said Kipyegon who was accompanied by her husband Timothy Kiptum, her daughter Aileen alongside her parents.