'I always have faith in myself'- When Beatrice Chebet revealed her grandmother's influence on her historic athletics journey
Kenya's Beatrice Chebet credits her grandmother's influence for inspiring her historic Olympic double gold and world record-breaking success.
If your grandmother is still alive, she often holds a unique place in your heart—offering wisdom, support and encouragement.
For Beatrice Chebet, her grandmother has been far more than that. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder credits her grandmother, Pauline Lang’at as the driving force behind her remarkable athletics career shaping her into one of the most dominant figures in women’s long-distance running.
Reflecting on her journey, Chebet describes her grandmother’s pivotal role in motivating her to reach unimaginable heights.
Lang’at, who took Chebet to her first athletics club in 2016, was also among the emotional crowd that welcomed the newly crowned double Olympic champion back to Kenya.
“I am lost for words when I look at where I have reached, when I look or talk to my grandmother,” Chebet said with a smile during an August interview with Daily Nation as quoted by Olympics.com.
“She is my rock and the reason I never gave up, even when the challenges seemed insurmountable.”
Chebet’s meteoric rise is built on years of determination, inspired by her grandmother’s belief in her potential.
At just 24 years old, the Kenyan sensation has rewritten the history books, becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m and the third woman in history to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m golds at the same Olympic Games.
Her journey has not been without setbacks as after missing out on the 5,000m world title in Budapest last year, where she settled for bronze, Chebet turned to road running as a path to redemption.
In Riga, she claimed the women’s 5km title at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships, but that was just the beginning.
On the last day of 2023, Chebet shattered the world record for the women’s 5km in Barcelona with a time of 14:13, cementing her place among the legends of the sport.
“I always have faith and belief in myself,” Chebet shared with Olympics.com after winning the 5,000m in Paris.
“I had never won a track title before, but after breaking the 10,000m world record in Eugene at the Kenyan Trials for the Olympics, I felt an unusual strength and motivation. That’s when I decided, ‘I want to double in Paris.’”
This bold decision led to one of the most remarkable achievements of her career, winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite her unprecedented success, Chebet remains humble, attributing much of her accomplishments to her grandmother’s unwavering support.
Lang’at’s influence stretches beyond the track, instilling in Chebet the discipline and resilience needed to thrive in one of the most competitive sports in the world.
She is determined to restore Kenya’s dominance in women’s track running, and with her eyes set on breaking Gudaf Tsegay’s 5,000m world record, Chebet shows no signs of slowing down.
As she looks back on her career, from her first global title at 18 to her recent Olympic triumphs, Chebet remains grounded by the love and guidance of her grandmother.
Her story is one of resilience, determination and the power of family—a true testament to how inspiration can come from the most cherished of relationships.
For now the sky’s the limit for Beatrice Chebet but one thing remains constant: her grandmother’s enduring influence on her path to greatness.
posted Thursday October 3rd
by Festus Chuma