Kenyan middle-distance star Faith Kipyegon is set to attempt breaking the four-minute barrier in the mile, a feat never before achieved by a woman. This historic endeavor is scheduled for June 26 at Stade Charléty in Paris, under Nike’s “Breaking 4” project. Kipyegon, the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 1500m, currently holds a personal best of 4:07 in the mile. Her attempt has garnered admiration from fellow athletes, including American 400m hurdles champion Dalilah Muhammad, who expressed awe at Kipyegon’s ambition and highlighted its significance for women in sports.
The sub-four-minute mile has long been a benchmark in middle-distance running, with the men’s record being broken in 1954. Kipyegon’s pursuit of this milestone not only challenges the limits of human performance but also serves as an inspiration for female athletes worldwide. Her training regimen has intensified in preparation for this attempt, focusing on speed endurance and race strategy. Success in Paris would not only etch her name in the annals of athletics history but also redefine possibilities in women’s middle-distance running. As the date approaches, the athletics community eagerly anticipates whether Kipyegon can achieve what was once deemed impossible.
