Former world 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon will be facing off with Ugandan Winnie Nayondo at the 2021 Doha, the second Diamond League series set for this Friday in in Qatar.
The reigning Olympic Games 1,500m champion said she will be competing with time in the 800m where Nayondo will be the closest competitor.
Others in the two lap race include Ethiopian Habitam Alemu, Moroccan Rabbe Goule, USA’s Hanna Green, Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, Hedda Hynee of Norway and Benin’s Noelie Yarigo for the title.
She said her mission in Doha will be to improve on her time ahead of the Olympic Games set for Tokyo, Japan in July.
“I will be chasing my personal best in the 800m ahead of the Olympic Games. Now that we are back on track in sports, this has opened up doors for us to prepare well for any races,” said Kipyegon.
Kipyegon, won an Olympic gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and will using Doha race as build-up.
She said her focus in 2021 is her 1,500m specialty before she thinks of doubling up or shifting focus to 5,000m.
“Yes, I would like to double in future but right now, my focus is on the 1,500m title defence in Tokyo,” she added.