Kipyegon to make comeback at Prefontaine Classic

Olympic Games 1500m champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon is set to make her long awaited comeback at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League on June 30 when she lines up in the 1500m event.

The 25-year- old who has been on maternity break will be competing against the reigning IAAF Diamond League winner Laura Muir of Great Britain and USA’s  Shelby Houlihan, with the only previous meeting of the trio being at the 2017 Pre Classic 1500, a race won by Kipyegon.

The World Champion is the ultimate performer, earning gold at the Rio Olympics and London Worlds – and ranking first globally in both 2016 and 2017 by T&FN.

Her Rio performance was one for the ages, covering the last two laps in a stunning 1:57.2. The Kenyan record holder set her best at the 2016 Pre Classic – 3:56.41- which is still the fastest ever recorded on U.S. soil.

The other Kenyan in the elite field is the reigning African 1500m champion Winny Chebet who was fifth in last year’s Pre-Classic at 4:00.60.

Fireworks is also expected in the 3000m race where World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri is set to renew her rivalry with Ethiopian duo of Genzebe Dianna and Almaz Ayana-the Olympics 10000m champion.

Also in the mix is double Olympic champion Caster Semenya of South Africa who opted to compete in the event after the new IAAF rule on women with high testosterone level was enforced-although the Swiss Court on Monday suspended the new law pending hearing of her appeal at the court.