Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon finally to become 1st woman to break 4-minute mile next week in Paris…

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon finally to become 1st woman to break 4-minute mile next week in Paris…

 

Next week in Paris, Olympic champion and world-record holder Faith Kipyegon will attempt to do what no woman has ever done: run a mile in under four minutes. The event, titled “Breaking Four: Faith Kipyegon vs the Mile,” is scheduled for June 26 at Stade

Charléty. If successful, the Kenyan middle-distance superstar will achieve a feat once thought biologically impossible for women.

Kipyegon, 30, is already the most decorated female miler in history. She holds the current world records in both the 1,500 meters (3:49.11) and the mile (4:07.64), set in 2023. To break the four-minute barrier, she will need to shave more than seven seconds off her own record—a massive leap in elite athletics, where hundredths of a second matter.

This challenge, while monumental, isn’t without precedent in its ambition. Much like Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon attempt in 2019, Kipyegon’s race is being supported by Nike, which has assembled a team of scientists, pacers, and engineers to give her every legal advantage. The event won’t count as an official world record due to some of these enhancements, but the goal is clear: push the limits of human potential, especially for women in sport.

To aid her, Nike has designed an aerodynamic race suit with 3D-printed “aeronodes” to reduce drag, a specially engineered headband to stabilize airflow, and new lightweight spikes that maximize energy return. Kipyegon will also be assisted by rotating male pacemakers and guided by a laser on the track to help maintain the exact pace needed—approximately 59.9 seconds per lap.

While some experts remain skeptical, pointing to the dramatic time drop required, Kipyegon remains focused. “Breaking four will really cement my legacy,” she said. “Everything we do, we have to dream big and just believe in ourselves.” She has described the attempt as not just a personal goal but a statement to women and girls worldwide that barriers—physical or societal—can be broken.

Her coach and Nike’s performance team have spent months fine-tuning every detail, from her stride length to her nutrition. The attempt is expected to draw global attention, streamed across Nike’s platforms, Amazon Prime Video, and social media channels.

Not everyone is convinced it’s possible. Critics argue the pace may be too punishing, even for Kipyegon. However, her past performances have repeatedly defied expectations. Just last year, she broke three world records in less than two months, including the mile and 1,500 meters.

Regardless of the outcome, Kipyegon’s attempt will be remembered as a landmark moment in women’s athletics. It symbolizes a shift—not just in what women can do on the track, but in how the world sees their potential. Whether or not she crosses the line in 3:59.99 or 4:00.01, Faith Kipyegon is redefining the possible.