The mile record, a historic discipline not present in the championship and therefore less popular, was held by his great Dutch rival Sifan Hassan, who had managed 4 min 12 sec 33 in 2019 already in Monaco.
Kipyegon (29) took advantage of her dazzling form this summer to dominate a race designed for her, accompanied by two pace leaders and wavelight, a luminous technology that sets the pace for athletes at the edge of the track, thanks in part to an impressive final lap. As she crossed the line, she pointed to the luminous board announcing her time, smiling.
The Kenyan, double Olympic champion (2016 and 2021) and double world champion of the 1,500m (2017 and 2022), ran the 1,500m in 3 min 49 sec 11 on June 2 in Florence (Italy), before clocking 14 min 05 sec 20 in Paris on June 9 on 5,000 m, two new world records.
She is the favourite for the World Championships in Budapest in a month (19-27 August), where she is expected to compete in the 1,500m and 5,000m.
© 2023 AFP