Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has revealed that she has been deeply immersed in prayer as she prepares to attempt a historic sub-four-minute mile in Paris on Thursday night.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated race at Stade Charléty, Kipyegon said that the mental demands of chasing the unprecedented record have pushed her to rely on her faith more than ever.
“I have been spending a lot of time in prayer,” Kipyegon told journalists when asked about her mental preparation. “In everything I do, I put God first because I believe in God.”
Alongside spiritual support, the double world record holder also credits laughter as part of her mental recovery and relaxation routine. Kipyegon, who is known for her calm and composed demeanor, revealed that watching Nigerian movies has become her go-to stress relief.
“Laughter has been my best medicine. I love watching funny movies to help take the edge off,” she said. “I’m a big fan of Nigerian movies that make me laugh because they help me relax and distract my mind from the tension.”
The 30-year-old is set to race under the spotlight in the French capital in an event aptly dubbed ‘Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs the 4-Minute Mile’, where she hopes to become the first woman in history to run a mile in under four minutes.
The challenge is inspired by her compatriot and fellow Nike athlete Eliud Kipchoge, who made global headlines in 2019 when he completed the marathon distance in under two hours (1:59:40) during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna.
Kipchoge has thrown his full support behind Kipyegon, expressing confidence in her ability to etch her name in the annals of athletics history.
“If there is anyone that can do it, it is Faith Kipyegon,” Kipchoge said ahead of the London Marathon in April. “I urge her to go for it—she can definitely do it.”
A successful sub-four-minute run would place Kipyegon alongside the legendary Roger Bannister, who became the first man to run a mile under four minutes in 1954, clocking 3:59.4 at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, England.
Now, the world will be watching as Kipyegon chases her own slice of history—armed with faith, laughter, and unmatched athletic brilliance.
