"Faith Kipyegon is a rabbit"- Michael Johnson reacts as Kenyan athlete breaks her own 1500m world record at Paris Diamond League

Faith Kipyegon was in a class of her own at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris on Sunday night where she won the women’s 1500m. On top of winning the race, the Kenyan shattered her own world record, clocking 3:49.04 to cross the finish line and better her previous time of 3:49.11.

The three-time 1500m world champion was majestic from gun to tape, taking the win in style ahead of Jessica Hull and Laura Muir who finished second and third respectively after clocking personal best times of 3:500.83 and 3:53.79.

The Paris Diamond League was her second 1500m race of the season, following her dominant performance at the Kenyan Olympic trials last month, where she clocked 3:53.98.

Faith Kipyegon also competed in the 5000m at the trials, winning the race in 14:46.28 to book her slot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The two-time 1500m Olympic champion’s performance has caught the attention of many, including American legend Michael Johnson. The 56-year-old called the Kenyan a "rabbit".

"Faith Kipyegon is a rabbit for everyone who races with her," Johnson said.

Kipyegon started her season late due to an injury setback. The Kenyan intended to open her season at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen but had to push it forward before being confirmed for the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League in Eugene, from which, she also withdrew.

Faith Kipyegon: "It will be history to win 1500m for the third time"

2024 Diamond League - Meeting de Paris

Faith Kipyegon will be looking to repeat her World Championships exploits as she heads to the Paris Olympic Games, where she will compete in the 1500m and 5000m events.

The Kenyan sealed her tickets to the Olympics after securing a double victory in the 1500m and 5000m at the Kenyan Olympic trials. She clocked 3:53.98 to win the 1500m and 14:46.28 to win the 5000m.

All eyes will be on her to deliver in Paris, where she is chasing her third Olympic title in the 1500m and she will be in the hunt for her first 5000m title at the Games. At last year’s World Championships in Budapest, she managed to secure double gold, something she is confident of achieving in Paris.

"It will be history to win the 1500m for the third time and you know, to focus on the 5000m. I know it’s not easy but I’ll be going to try and see what will be possible," she told Pulse Sports Kenya.

"It’s not smooth sailing and you have to work hard and stay patient, those are the two most important things. I know being patient and training hard will get me where I want to be."

Faith Kipyegon made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games, where she faded to finish 16th in the heats and could not proceed to the semifinal. However, she bounced back at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, claiming the win before successfully defending her title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.