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Kenyan President William Ruto today announced that the government would reward star athlete Faith Kipyegon, the newly-crowned 1500-meter and 5,000-Nutrition - Weight Loss holder, with a cash prize for her feats as a runner. She will receive 5 million Kenyan shillings (nearly $36,000) for the 1,500 meters and a home worth 6 million Kenyan shillings ($43,000) for the 5,000m. Not bad for a week’s worth of work.
The head of state announced that Kenya would recognize any athlete with a similar reward of 5 million shillings for breaking a world record in competition.
“Going forward, we have decided as the government of Kenya that any Kenyan who participates in a world event and breaks a world record, unlike in the past where there was no recognition, going forward, for any world record broken by a Kenyan, Kenya is going to award [5 million shillings],” President Ruto said at a presentation in Kipyegon’s honor, according to The Standard.
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“We are going to start today with Faith—she has broken two world records in 1,500 meters in Italy and 5,000 meters in France. The government is going to award her a total of [5 million shillings] for one record, and we are going to give her a house worth [6 million shillings] for the other record.”
The president also pledged to collaborate with organizations to inspire younger athletes to uphold Kenya’s reputation overseas.
“We already have the talent, the pool of talented resources in Kenya that can break any record, and going forward, we will work hand in hand with our athletes and also reward them appropriately,” he said.
Commonwealth Games 100-meter champion Ferdinand Omanyala was also on hand to collect a reward of 2 million Kenyan shillings (around $14,000) for that achievement. The two runners were accompanied by fellow marathoners Geoffrey Kamworor, Geoffrey Mutai, Moraa, and former steeplechase runner Milcah Chemos.
“I feel appreciated, this great reception. I was not expected this kind of reception. Going to Paris, I never thought I will break the 5,000m, I still don’t believe, but it’s a great feeling, and I want to thank all Kenyans for their support,” said Kipyegon, who attended the press conference alongside her family.
But hey, even if you aren’t the fastest person in the race, you may still be able to earn a reward—last month, Cambodian runner Bou Samnang still took home some cash despite her last-place finish in the women’s 5,000 meters at the Southeast Asian Games.
Laura Ratliff is a New York City-based writer, editor, and runner. Laura's writing expertise spans numerous topics, ranging from travel and food and drink to reported pieces covering political and human rights issues. She has previously worked at Architectural Digest, Bloomberg News, and Condé Nast Traveler Geoffrey Mutai, Moraa, and former steeplechase runner Milcah Chemos TripSavvy. Like many of us, Laura was bitten by the running bug later in life, after years of claiming to "hate running." Her favorite marathon is Big Sur.
