Laura Muir once opened up about how sharing the stage with Faith Kipyegon propelled her to her own greatness.
Scotland’s Laura Muir has never shied away from speaking candidly about her middle-distance rival, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon.
The British star has shared the track with Kipyegon on multiple occasions, witnessing firsthand the Kenyan’s record-breaking feats.
Muir has consistently acknowledged the influence of Kipyegon on her career, crediting the fast-paced races as a catalyst for her own improvements.
The Briton 1500m star has made a bold move with the hope of silencing Faith Kipyegon and Co in 2025.
In an interview with Scottish Athletics via Olympics.com, Muir expressed her admiration for the two-time Olympic champion, saying, “When you’re trying to stick with the world record-holder, it’s going to be tough! I’m just so happy for Faith; she deserves that so much.”
Time and again, Muir has found herself racing alongside Kipyegon during historic moments.
She notably referenced the Kenyan’s stunning performances in 2023, when Kipyegon shattered both the 5000m and one-mile world records within a sensational seven-week period.
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Josh Kerr, Laura Muir, and other top Scottish athletes have been nominated for the 4J Scottish Annual Awards to celebrate their achievements this season, including Kerr’s Olympic 1500m silver and Muir’s new Scottish 1500m record at the Paris Olympics.
“I think that is four in a row now where I’ve raced and Faith has set the world record,” Muir remarked.
“Maybe I am her lucky charm. It is amazing from her and so nice to be part of these races.”
That trend continued in July 2024 at the Paris Diamond League, where Kipyegon once again left the athletics world in awe by lowering the 1500m world record to 3:49.04.
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Faith Kipyegon has revealed the most challenging aspect of her illsutrious career.
In the same race, Muir produced a remarkable run of her own, securing a British record with a time of 3:53.79 and finishing third.
At the Paris Olympic Games, Kipyegon cemented her legacy with yet another gold in the 1500m, triumphing over Australia’s Jessica Hull and Great Britain’s Georgia Bell. Muir, despite a valiant effort, finished fifth, just outside the medal positions.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Muir’s ambitions remain high. With Kipyegon continuing to dominate, the Scottish athlete is likely to use their rivalry as motivation, pushing herself to new limits in pursuit of closing the gap.
