Faith Kipyegon shares hilarious experience that left her wishing she was good at swimming

Faith Kipyegon crossing the finishing lane | Photo Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

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Faith Kipyegon and Timothy Kitum among couples in Kenyan sports.

Faith Kipyegon shares hilarious experience that left her wishing she was good at swimming

Joel Omotto 13:47 - 27.10.2024

Faith Kipyegon may be good at running but she wishes she knew how to swim as well after a scary experience in the pool that made her think twice about her hobby.

Three-time Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon hopes she can become better at swimming just as she is good at running, given this is one of her main hobbies.

Kipyegon has carved out a career as a global superstar when it comes to running, breaking numerous records while winning lots of titles, but wishes she could dive in the pool and move freely.

The mother of one has narrated how her love for swimming nearly proved catastrophic when she was much younger although the bad experience has not put her off her hobby.

“All athletes have something that exists outside their comfort zone. For me, that’s swimming,” she told Nike.

“I remember in 2011 when I was in Punta Umbria for the youth international cross-country championships. I met with my team at one of the local lakes to celebrate.

“I looked down at the water, believing it was this shallow pool. I jumped in. The next thing I knew, the water was up to my ears, and I couldn’t hear anything. Swimming is the one thing I wish I was better at.”

Kipyegon is currently on a well-earned break after another successful season and will be hoping to slot in some swimming lessons.

The 30-year-old, who became the first athlete to win three Olympics gold medals in 1,500m, also won silver in 5,000m at the Paris 2024 Games besides winning a fifth Diamond League title.

Kipyegon’s season also included breaking her own world record, when she ran 3:49.04 at the Paris Diamond League in July, just before the Olympics, while she claimed victory at the inaugural Athlos NYC, the women’s-only event, whose winners were taking home $60,000 each.