Breakfast with Champions: President Ruto Welcomes Omanyala and Kipyegon to State House
Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder for the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter distances, and Ferdinand Omanyala, the world record holder for the 100-meter dash, received a royal welcome at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Commonwealth and African 100m champion Omanyala was the first to arrive at State House shortly before 8 am.
The Kenya Air Force plane transported Kipyegon from Eldoret to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where he was met by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Nairobi County Governor Johnstone Sakaja.
Kipyegon, accompanied by her husband, Olympic 800m bronze medalist Timothy Kitum from the 2012 London Games, her daughter Alyne, and their parents, were then chauffeured to the White House.
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, Omanyala, Namwamba, and Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei greeted Kipyegon’s entourage.
Omanyala and Namwamba embraced Kipyegon as Gachagua said, “Welcome to the State House, our champion, we are so proud of you,” as Omanyala and Namwamba embraced Kipyegon.
ALSO READ: Faith Kipyegon Shatters 5000m World Record at Paris Diamond League
“Thank you so much,” said Kipyegon as he donned the tracksuit of Team Kenya.
Kipyegon, the double Olympic and world 1,500m champion. Was then led into State House for the royal breakfast alongside fellow athletes Omanyala. 3,000m steeplechase World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech. And Commonwealth Games 800m champion, Mary Moraa. Two-time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who is also the three-time world half marathon champion. And the 2017 World marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui.
Kipyegon established a new world record and a new national record in the 1,500-meter race when she won the Florence Diamond League on June 2 in Italy. A week later, she smashed the 5,000-meter world record with an explosive victory at the Paris Diamond.
Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia held the previous 1,500-meter world record of 3:50.07. Which she established in Monaco on July 15, 2015. While Gidey Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia held the previous 5,000-meter world record of 14:06.52. hich he attained in Valencia, Spain on October 7, 2020.
Breakfast with Champions: President Ruto Welcomes Omanyala and Kipyegon to State House
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