2024 is shaping up to be another groundbreaking year for Gudaf Tsegay as she continues to push the limits of her running abilities. In February, she narrowly missed breaking the 3000m world indoor record with a blazing time of 8:16:60. Just two months later, she solidified her status as one of the fastest women ever in the 1500m event.
However, Tsegay’s quest for world records did not stop there. At the Diamond League in Xiamen, she came agonizingly close to breaking Faith Kipyegon’s 1500m world record of 3:49.11, running a time of 3:50. Although she fell short of her goal on that particular day, she remains determined to achieve her dreams.
As Tsegay returns to the Hayward Field track at the University of Oregon, where she set the 5000m record, she is focused on breaking her personal best of 29:29.73 by a substantial 28 seconds. The current world record for the 10,000m distance is held by Letesenbet Gidey at 29:01.03, a mark that Tsegay has her sights set on surpassing.
With the Olympic Games on the horizon, Tsegay’s ambitions have reached new heights. While she has already achieved success as an indoor and world champion, she is determined to capture an Olympic gold medal. Inspired by past greats like Tirunesh Dibaba, who won the 5000m/10,000m double, Tsegay is motivated to make her mark in Paris.
Having witnessed Sifan Hassan’s remarkable triple at the Tokyo Olympics, where she won gold in both long-distance events and a bronze in the 1500m, Tsegay is considering the possibility of competing in multiple events at the Olympics. Whether it be two or three events, Tsegay is ready to showcase her versatility and prowess on the world stage.