Kipyegon puts drama from night before behind her, starts quest for 3rd straight 1,500 Olympic title
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon opened her bid to win a third straight Olympic 1,500-meter title, turning the page on a drama-filled night that ultimately ended with a medal for her
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Faith Kipyegon of Kenya opened her bid Tuesday for a third straight Olympic 1,500-meter title, turning the page on a drama-filled night that ultimately ended with a medal for her.
Kipyegon finished fourth in her first-round heat to advance to the semifinal round. The night before in the 5,000 meters, Kipyegon captured a silver medal, only to lose it on a disqualification for trading elbows with Gudaf Tsegay and then later have it restored on appeal.
“It was very hard, very hard for me. But you just accept the outcome,” said Kipyegon, the 1,500-meter world-record holder. "It was good race, a lot of pushing up and down, but I believed in myself and it is finished. Now I can concentrate on the 1,500.”
Tsegay was back on the track, too, and won her heat. Also advancing was Nikki Hiltz, the 29-year-old who won the event at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
