I see Faith Kipyegon as a 1500m runner similar to John Walker.
John Walker raced solid 800m times but John Walker was never going to medal as an 800m athlete. For his era, John Walker was a solid 5000m athlete but J Walker was never going to medal as a 5000m runner.
Like Walker, if Faith Kipyegon were to attempt to race 800m at Olympics, she would make semifinal and come up a bit short. Like Walker, if Faith K attempts 5000m at Olympics, she will finish 5th through 10th but won't medal.
Man, I have to think she could medal at 5000. She has a 14:31 from 2015 and she is better now than she was then (plus, must be said, shoes). She would be more like a Hicham or Bernard Lagat, both who medaled (including gold) in the 5000. If they let it dawdle at all, she would crush them like Hicham did in 2004 and Lagat in 2007. If they ran it honest, she might struggle a bit more, but do you really think they can shake her? I bet she had a 14:15 in her at this point, and she has no reason or need to lead
Beatrice Chebet and Dawson Seyaum medaled in 2022. I would take Faith over either of them. I would take her over Koko and Kipkemboi from 2019 as well. She would have had a chance to win either of those. 2017 was an all timer year so I wouldn’t pick her. Rio and Tokyo it would have been tough too — that was a hard final — but she would have a shot at Tsegay/Obiri those years.
She would definitely have a decent shot in the 800 as well. If Raevyn can medal multiple times, Faith could pull one through.
There is no male ranked top 25 all-time, 1000m and top 25 all-time, 5000m.
There is no female ranked top 25 all-time, 1000m and top 25 all-time, 5000m.
Some would say: Not all 800m to 5000m athletes race 1000m at their peak fitness.
That's true. The only female besides Faith Kipyegon capable of being top 25 on 1000m list and 5000m list, Francine Niyonsaba. Maybe it's best for Faith Kipyegon to stick with racing 1000m, 1500m and 1 mile.
Oh yeah, definitely the 1500 is where she should stay. But my point was that I do think, if she chose to focus on it, she could medal in the 800 (maybe) or the 5000 (almost certainly given a couple cracks at it).
It wouldn't be worthwhile for her to take her focus off the 1500. But she could certainly pull a Bernard Lagat and collect a few global 5000m medals and strike some fear into the distance women over the next 4-6 years.
There is no female ranked top 25 all-time, 1000m and top 25 all-time, 5000m.
There is Tsegay if we take into account 800 i instead of 1000.
Gudaf Tsegay:
800m, all-time, 391st, 1:59.52
It's no longer ethical to substitute indoor performances.
M.S.G. and other indoor arenas allowed cigar smoking during T&F meets, until early 1980s. Some athletes, 600m to 3000m are setting their personal bests indoors now.
