World record holder Faith Kipyegon has been awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) by President William Ruto, the country’s highest honor.

President Ruto conferred the award upon the mother of one during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

“Today, I have conferred upon our world-beating athlete Faith Kipyegon the rank and status of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.), the highest honor our country awards its citizens who illuminate the path of excellence,” Ruto said.

The felicitations by Kenya’s head of state come just hours after the 29-year-old won the World Athletics Award – the 2023 Women’s Athlete of the Year. President Ruto termed her one of the most hardworking athletes on the planet.

“The embodiment of excellence, versatility, fortitude, humility, and purpose; an incredible human being, a true champion, and a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Congratulations Kipyegon Faith, the World Athlete of the Year,” Ruto said.

On Monday, December 11, 2023, Kipyegon won the 2023 Women’s Athlete of the Year, beating sprinter Shericka Jackson and Dutch sprinter Femke Bol to the accolade.

Kipyegon has had a stellar 2023 season, breaking the 1500m and 5000m world records – in one week – before storming to gold over both distances in the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

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The award places her as one of, if not the greatest, female athletes in Africa and Kenya’s athletic history. Kipyegon is the fourth Kenyan athlete to ever win the award.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge won it twice in 2018 and 2019. David Rudisha, the current holder of the men’s 800m world record, won it in 2010.