Faith Kipyegon Confirms Two Priorities as She Prepares for the 2026 Season

Following a remarkable 2025 season where she broke a world record and defended her World 1,500m title, three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon is already targeting new heights in 2026.

The Kenyan superstar has her eyes set on the newly established Ultimate Challenge Championships; however, she has insisted that there are major plans in place yet.

Speaking at the 10th edition of the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) games at the University of Eldoret (UoE), Faith Kipyegon confirmed that the Diamond League series and the inaugural Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, will be central to her upcoming season.

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“It was a great season where I was able to defend my title in the 1500m, my special event. I’m so happy that this season went well, and I’m hoping for the same next year. We have only just gotten back to training, and let’s see what next year will offer,” Faith Kipyegon said.

“To be honest, I don’t know what will happen next year. I have not made any plans yet, but we have hope that we shall do well. Right now, we are enjoying Christmas, New Year and family time. When the year starts, that is when we shall set our goals.”

She disclosed that the newly-launched World Athletics Ultimate Championships remain a point of her focus, noting that thousands of athletes have also set their eyes on the global event.

The three-time Olympic 1500m champion added that the Diamond League Meetings, where she has achieved a lot of success, will also be in the mix.

“However, every athlete is looking at the Ultimate Championships, the new event introduced by World Athletics. That is where our focus will be, alongside the Diamond Leagues,” she added.

Meanwhile, during her visit to the KUSF games, Faith Kipyegon praised the role of university sports in developing young talent.

She noted the special significance of the event being held at UoE, which previously awarded her an honorary doctorate.

“It is good for young people to be involved in sports, and I am happy to be back home," Faith Kipyegon said. "This university offered me a doctorate, and I will always be happy to come back.”

Watching the student-athletes compete on the university's sandy track, Faith Kipyegon recalled its importance in her own career, particularly during her preparations for the ‘Breaking 4 Challenge’ in Paris.

“The UoE track is a blessing for me and many other athletes. I have great respect for this facility because it is where I did all my training ahead of Breaking 4,” she explained.

“This track hosts world-leading athletes from all walks of life who travel here for speed work as they prepare for global championships.”

With the Kipchoge Keino Stadium currently closed, Faith Kipyegon also called on the government to increase investment in training facilities to accommodate the country's growing number of athletes.

“We don’t have enough training facilities in the country, and right now this is the only available track," she urged.

"I urge the government to build and improve more facilities, especially in universities, to give athletes better training grounds and support those in the community.”