The world holds its breath this Thursday evening at Paris’s Stade Charléty. Faith Kipyegon, Kenya’s three‑time Olympic 1500 m champion, is about to tackle running’s most hallowed barrier: a mile in under four minutes.
Kipyegon, 31, has done it all – three Olympic golds, world titles, and world records in 1500 m (3:49.04) and the mile (4:07.64). But today she faces her greatest challenge yet.
The Moment Arrives
At 8 p.m. CEST, the cue lights will flash, pacemakers will settle into a V‑formation, and Kipyegon will begin what Nike calls the “Breaking4” attempt.
She needs to trim nearly 8 seconds from her personal best. Every lap must be roughly two seconds faster than her record‑setting run in Monaco last year
She’s ready.
“If you believe in yourself, and your team believes in you, you can do it,” she said in an interview ahead of the event
Nike is providing everything: feather‑light spikes, a drag‑reducing suit, laser pacing, and a rotation of male pacemakers to shield her from the wind. Yet, none of it will matter unless her legs can match the dream.
Why This Matters
Roger Bannister cracked the four‑minute mile nearly 71 years ago. But until now, no woman has come close. Kipyegon’s attempt stands as a symbolic challenge to long‑held limits. It’s about more than sport.
“Everything we do, we have to dream big and just believe in ourselves,” she told AP News . Her story resonates with women and young girls worldwide who have been told: you can’t.
A Balanced View
Experts are divided. Some point to the nearly eight‑second gap as a near‑impossible leap. Others, however, argue that perfect pacing and the right conditions could bring a time as low as 3:59.3 .
Still, no matter the outcome, Kipyegon’s sub‑4 attempt is unofficial and won’t count as a new world record. But that’s not the point. The moment itself is what’s unforgettable.
Final Word
Kenya and the world are watching. Faith Kipyegon steps to the line not just as a champion, but as a trailblazer. Should she break through today, she’ll inspire a generation. If she falls short, her courage will still echo.
Either way, she has already changed the game
