Korir backs Faith Kipyegon to succeed in sub-4 minute mile attempt

The 1500m world record holder set the current official mile world record of 4 minutes 07.64 seconds for the now-rarely run distance in 2023 and will need a huge leap forward to obliterate seven seconds in the Nike "Breaking 4" project.

“Faith will break that record without much fuss. She is so consistent, disciplined and very focused that is why we are going to witness history,” said Korir.

Full details are yet to be revealed but she is likely to be aided by "in and out" pacers, new high-tech shoes and kit and other technological, physiological and psychological help that will mean any record would not be officially recognised.

"I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, what else, why not dream outside the box?" Kipyegon said last month when Nike announced the attempt. "I want this attempt to say to women, 'You can dream and make your dreams valid'."

Kipyegon won the Olympic 1,500m title at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Games and the world title in 2017, 2022 and 2023, when she also took 5,000m gold.

As well as the mile record, she also holds the 1,500m world record of 3:49.04 and barely seemed to take a breath after taking time away from the track to have a baby.

Nike will be applying the lessons learned from Eliud Kipchoge's attempts, where he narrowly failed and then subsequently succeeded in getting under two hours.