Kipyegon: Thank you for doing it on my behalf

Faith Kipyegon (right) and her father Samuel Koech, pose in a brand new Toyota Probox awarded by Sultan Rana (left) of Rana Auto in Eldoret for her historic shows at Florence and Paris Diamond League. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

"Thank you for doing it on my behalf." This was the message from an overjoyed 1,500m and 5,000m World Record breaker Faith Kipyegon when an Eldoret-based car dealer rewarded her father yesterday.

When she was awarded Sh5 million cash and a Sh6 million house during her red-carpet reception at State House on Tuesday, Kipyegon said she would use the money to buy her father, Samuel Koech, a car.

And yesterday, car dealer - Rana Auto Selection rewarded Koech with a motor vehicle during Faith's reception in Eldoret.

The double Olympic and World Champion, alongside her coach Patrick Sang, daughter Alyn and father, was first hosted by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii before the award ceremony.

The car dealer said it had originally offered Faith a Toyota Vitz but she chose a Toyota Probox for her father who lives in Keringet, Nakuru County.

Coincidentally, her father's reward came a day before this year's Father's Day, which is being marked today.

The record-breaker used the opportunity to promise athletics enthusiasts more brilliant performances and a future transition to 10,000m and the marathon.

"I said at State House (Nairobi) that I would want to buy my father a car. I can't believe my father is finally getting a car today (yesterday). They (Rana Auto Selection) have done it for me. I didn't know what to say when I got the message," an emotional Kipyegon said during the awarding ceremony.

She described her father's reward as motivation and a dividend for her hard work in training and competitions.

"It has motivated me to work hard and break more records. I will continue to motivate young people and mothers across the world that it is possible to achieve anything you desire.

"Leaving my daughter at home to train for a whole week is not something I imagined but it is now paying off," Kipyegon said.

She continued: "I thank Rana Auto Selection for the big surprise. During Father's Day, I want to thank my father for his great support. I ask him to enjoy driving himself."

Koech said Faith's decision to reward him with a car did not come as a surprise to him.

He said Faith was a generous daughter from a young age.

The farmer from Keringet said the Toyota Probox was his first car and that he has been riding a motorcycle which has been difficult to travel during rainy and cold seasons.

"This is my first car. I had a motorcycle and my daughter (Faith) felt that riding it during the harsh weather conditions was not good for my health. I urge her to continue doing well. She has always had a big heart," Koech said.

Rana Auto Selection Chief Executive Officer Sultan Rana said the firm rewarded the world record-breaker for her remarkable feats at the Diamond League.

"We have rewarded your father because you have shown us there are no limits to what we can achieve. We are doing this for Kenya because we are proud of our athletes' achievements," Rana said.

Governor Bii said Uasin Gishu County has asked Faith to be the ambassador of the upcoming Devolution Conference to be held in Eldoret in August.

"We thank your coaches and fans across the world for the support they have offered you," the Governor said.