Rome Diamond League 2024: Imperious Faith Kipyegon wins first race since Paris golden three-peat
Three-time Olympic 1500m champion Kipyegon did not disappoint as she continued her dominance in her pet event in Rome on Friday (30 Augusts).
Athletics
Kenyan middle-distance queen Faith Kipyegon was back at the scene of her first 1500m world record at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday (30 August) and did not disappoint.
Kipyegon made her first appearance since winning a record-breaking third straight Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, racing to victory in a time of three minutes 52.89 seconds (3:52.89).
The 30-year-old stepped onto the track in only her second Diamond League meeting of the year after her record-breaking run at the Paris meeting ahead of the Olympic Games where she improved her global mark with a stunning 3:49.04.
A fresh world record attempt was on the cards in Rome but as the race progressed prospects of another record dissipated, resulting in a tactical tussle.
With a lap to go Kipyegon was firmly in the driving seat with Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull of Australia running on her shoulder.
Coming out of the final bend, Kipyegon stamped her authority, leaving Hull behind to fight it out with Ethiopian duo Freweyni Hailu and Birke Haylom. The Ethiopians won the battle with Hailu (3:54.16) finishing second and Haylom third in 3:54.79.