6. Genzebe Dibaba vs Faith Kipyegon
This time last year, the name Genzebe Dibaba was on everyone’s lips. Of course it had every reason to be when at the Monaco Diamond League, she stormed to an astonishing World Record (WR) of 3.50.07 in the 1500m.
Although Dibaba completely dominated the event, there was another athlete lurking around, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon who came into reckoning during the 2015 World Championships.
As expected Dibaba won GOLD in 4:08.09, but she was closely followed by Kipyegon who won Silver clocking 4:08.96. It wasn’t a big lead from Dibaba as many would have anticipated, probably because she had the 5000m race in mind and did not want to burn out.
Fast forward to this year, and it has not been glittering for Dibaba; at least not yet. Dibaba has had a mixed year, struggling to cope with the rigours of running the 5000m, and in June she even had to withdraw from a race in Barcelona, although it must be said that she’s had injuries to contend with.
While Dibaba has not lit up the track this year, Kipyegon on the other hand seems to have come of age and has been setting the tracks she has competed in alight. The Kenyan is undefeated this year.
Such is Kipyegon’s dominance in 2016 that she ran a Kenyan National Record (NR) of 3:56.41 to win at the Eugene Diamond League. In fact she holds three of the 10 fastest times in the world this year, all under 4mins.
In the all-time list, Dibaba is still ranked No.1 going by her WR, and Kipyegon is at No. 21 with the NR she set in May.
So who is the favourite to win GOLD in Rio? On paper Kipyegon looks the best bet to win. However with Dibaba going to run just the 1500m which will be her only event in Rio, it’s hard betting against the WR holder.
