Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Honored at Academy of Achievement in New York

By Esther E. Otto

Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have once again proven their prowess in the world of athletics by being recognized and awarded by the Academy of Achievement in New York. The prestigious event took place at the Lincoln Center on September 22, where they were honored during the Dinner of the Golden Plate Awards Ceremony.

President William Ruto, attending the UNGA conference in the USA, presented the awards to Kipyegon and Chebet. In a congratulatory statement, he hailed their hard work, talent, and dedication to athletics, emphasizing how their achievements would inspire upcoming athletes and contribute to shaping Kenya’s sports landscape.

This recognition adds to Kipyegon’s already impressive list of accomplishments in global athletics. Recently, she clinched the 5th Diamond League in the 1500m race at the Brussels Diamond League, following her success at the 2024 Paris Olympics where she secured two medals.

Beatrice Chebet, another remarkable athlete, triumphed in the 5000m and 10,000m races at the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning two more gold medals for Kenya. Her outstanding performance led to her qualification for the Academy of Achievement honors.

Kipyegon, who has been winning hearts in Kenya, notably broke the world record in the 1500 Meters and shattered it once more in July 2024 at the Diamond League in Paris. Her journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics was marked by challenges, including an initial disqualification which was later overturned, securing her a well-deserved silver medal.

The success of Kipyegon, Chebet, and the Kenyan team at large at these international events underscores Kenya’s dominance in athletics and serves as a source of pride for the African continent. With Kenya leading the medal count for African teams, these achievements highlight the talent, resilience, and dedication of African athletes on the global stage.