This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
World and Olympics 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon made a triumphant return to athletics, running under four minutes in her first race after maternity leave at the Prefontaine Classic in the United States on June 30, 2019.
Just nine days after her daughter's first birthday, Kipyegon clocked 3:59.04 to win the 1500m race, setting a new facility record. She outpaced Great Britain's Laura Muir and United States' Shelby Houlihan to claim the top spot.
"I am so happy today to win on my comeback. It is a gift from God to come back and win, running under four minutes. I wanted to run at least under 4:10, but I came in and ran under four which was a great thing," Kipyegon said after the race.
She added, "It is a great thing to be a mother and athlete. It is just about balancing the two and I am grateful I can do it."
Kipyegon now sets her sights on defending her title at the World Championship in Doha in September, expressing confidence in her ability to do so after an extended period of rest and recovery.
"My goal now is to go to Doha and defend my title. That is what I am looking forward to and training for. This was my first race and I now know what to add or balance more," she said.
