• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Nike forced to issue statement after claims they 'lied' about Faith Kipyegon's sub-4 mile attempt to make it look faster

Home> Athletics

Updated 16:06 1 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 14:56 1 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Nike forced to issue statement after claims they 'lied' about Faith Kipyegon's sub-4 mile attempt to make it look faster

The Olympic gold medallist attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in less than four minutes.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

Nike have spoken out to respond to claims that they made errors about Faith Kipyegon's sub-4 mile attempt, making it look faster.

Kenyan athlete Kipyegon attempted to achieve greatness and become the first woman to run a mile in less than four minutes at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris last week.

The 31-year-old was competing in the Nike-sponsored “Breaking4” event, but as she came to the homestretch it became clear that she was going to fall just short of the historic achievement.

Ultimately, Kipyegon crossed the line with a highly impressive final time of 4:06.91, breaking her own world record of 4:07.64, which was set back in 2023, however the time would not count as it did not follow strict competition rules.

Advert

But a minute later, fans were left confused as broadcaster Paul Swangard confirmed that Kipyegon's official time was 4:06.42, nearly half a second faster than her previously announced time.

Faith Kipyegon tried to become the first woman to run a sub four minute mile at the Breaking 4 event. (Image: Getty)
Faith Kipyegon tried to become the first woman to run a sub four minute mile at the Breaking 4 event. (Image: Getty)

After the discrepancy was noticed, Athletics outlet Runner's World reached out to Nike for an explanation, asking them to reveal exactly what caused the difference.

In a statement, Nike confirmed: "Breaking4 was always about redefining the limits of human potential and it resulted in a breakthrough moment in athletic performance.

Advert

"For us the achievement was proving what’s possible when athletes, science, and innovation come together.

“We captured precise timing for her 1-mile run—from Faith’s very first movement to the finish line, every frame was tracked using high-resolution photo-finish camera technology to ensure accuracy.

“Every element of Breaking4 was guided by rigorous scientific analysis and independently validated by third-party experts. The data captured will not only advance our understanding of elite sport today, but also fuel research to support the athletes of tomorrow.”

Faith Kipyegon won gold in the Women's 1500m event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Image: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Faith Kipyegon won gold in the Women's 1500m event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Image: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Advert

Reacting to the statement, one fan took to social media platform Reddit to suggest that Nike had intentionally 'fudged' the timings in order to make their athlete and event look better.

They claimed that the explanation appears to reveal that the original time that was announced and seen on the clock in the stadium was Kipyegon's 'gun time,' essentially the time that started once the gun signalling the beginning of the race was fired.

Meanwhile the quicker 4:06.42 time began once she crossed the starting line, meaning that it did not take into the account her reaction time or her first movement.

Typically, it is the former method that is used to report track times, and therefore Nike's decision to use the latter is what led to some fans questioning their intentions.

Advert


SPORTbible have reached out to Nike for further comment.

Featured Image Credit: Nike

Topics: Nike, Athletics, Olympics

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career he has interviewed top athletes in MMA including Tom Aspinall and Michael Bisping.

X

@benmcc14

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

22 hours ago
3 days ago
4 days ago
  • 22 hours ago

    Sprinter who claimed to beat Usain Bolt's 150m world record could be jailed after allegations of violence

    The sprinter once claimed that he had bettered the great Jamaican's time, but now faces huge issues off the track.

    Athletics
  • 3 days ago

    Usain Bolt sent urgent warning to 17-year-old sprint sensation Gout Gout after teenager smashes another record

    The Australian was given advice by the legendary Jamaican Olympian.

    Athletics
  • 4 days ago

    3D simulation shows what would happen in a 200m race between Usain Bolt and Gout Gout after 17-year-old sensation sets new record

    Gout Gout recently set a new Australian record.

    Athletics
  • 4 days ago

    Usain Bolt vs Gout Gout has a clear winner for one Olympic gold medal winning sprinter

    Gout Gout's brilliance early in his career has helped him draw comparisons to Usain Bolt

    Athletics
  • Sprinter who claimed to beat Usain Bolt's 150m world record could be jailed after allegations of violence
  • The 100 best pro athletes of the 21st century named and ranked with No.1 pick very controversial
  • Usain Bolt sent urgent warning to 17-year-old sprint sensation Gout Gout after teenager smashes another record
  • Teenage sprinter who is 'better than Usain Bolt at same age' has important six word message he tells himself every day