The 2004 Olympic champion strongly defended Faith Kipyegon’s integrity and talent, urging critics to respect her achievements rather than question them.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has defended Faith Kipyegon from critics, noting that the three-time Olympic 1500m champion deserves all the respect in the world.
Following her historic sub-4-minute mile attempt, Faith Kipyegon found herself in trouble, with fans coming at her. Faith Kipyegon clocked an impressive 4:06.42, faster than her world record time of 4:07.64.
Faith Kipyegon then went ahead to compete at the Prefontaine Classic, where she shattered her 1500m world record, clocking 3:48.68, 0.36 seconds faster than her previous world record.
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Faith Kipyegon during her sub-four-minute mile run attempt. Faith Kipyegon during her sub-four-minute mile run attempt.
The 2004 Olympic 100m champion lauded Faith Kipyegon for daring to dream, revealing that bouncing back from her attempt to set a world record in the 1500m was a magical moment.
Justin Gatlin added that Faith Kipyegon was going for the impossible, and affording to lower her time was what mattered, revealing that he struggled to understand why people came up with false allegations.
Rumours flew online that Nike had adjusted her time, and the gear she wore was manipulated, and even went further to attack her for not going under four minutes despite all that innovation.
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“For her to chip away at her own personal best and bring it down to a 4:06…That’s not where the story ends. Faith showed up here for the 1500m and she annihilated the world record in that race, and I love to see it. I think the preparation for her sub-4 got her ready to break the world record in this 1500m,” Justin Gatlin said on the Ready Set Go podcast.
“I don’t understand where all these rumours or allegations come from because with someone who’s already run 4:07, don’t you think that she understands how to get faster and be stronger? I mean, she’s with a very innovative brand like Nike, who’s going to make good shoes that are going to be able to get her a uniform that’s going to create less drag when she’s running.”
Justin Gatlin explained that everything an athlete wears, including their materials, shoes, and clothes, must fall within the regulations and be certified for competition.
Gatlin emphasised that many people do not realise all these elements need to meet specific standards, especially when a world record is broken, as everything must be checked and validated.
He noted that there is a lot of misinformation being spread, such as claims about shoes giving unfair advantages or the clock being manipulated, which he felt was unnecessary.
The former world champion pointed out that what people were witnessing was simply a true athlete preparing for something extraordinary, something she had already achieved before in an amazing way.
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“And why can’t we just applaud her for that? Yeah. I mean, a lot of people who dare to criticise are usually the people who can’t even do what she’s tried or attempted to do,” he revealed.
“And that type of thing always comes with the negative part. You know, a lot more people than anyone was happier that she tried. You know what I mean? And I think you stick with that.
“But I think she comes back and does this. It’s like for her, it’s for her, get back for her. You know what I mean? She needed to know that yes, I didn’t do it, but I did this.”
Justin Gatlin urged fans to shift their focus from baseless criticism to celebrating Faith Kipyegon’s resilience and greatness, reminding the world that what truly matters is her courage to push limits, silence doubt, and deliver history.
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