Inspiring message from Janeth Jepkosgei after donation to World Athletics Museum

Kenyan athletics legend Janeth Jepkosgei made a historic contribution to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA), donating the singlet she wore on Tuesday 28 August 2007 when winning the 800m title at the World Championships in Osaka.

It was the first-ever world title won by a Kenyan woman in a middle-distance event, paving the way for eight more titles claimed by her successors in subsequent editions up to 2023.

Jepkosgei, who is now the head coach of the U20 Athlete Refugee Team, made the donation to MOWA during the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24, presenting her singlet to World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon.

“I’m very happy to present my 2007 World Championships singlet to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA),” said Jepkosgei.

“When it is displayed in the online museum and exhibited around the world, I hope it helps to inspire and promote the wonderful sport of running, which, in my role as head coach for the U20 Refugee Team, I know is a powerful force for good.”

Ridgeon thanked her for the donation and for her work with the Athlete Refugee Team, adding, "The support and encouragement of champions like Janeth is crucial to the success of our heritage programme, which helps preserve and promote our sport’s inspiring history to athletes and fans alike.”

She was one of the most consistent 800m runners of her decade. Her journey began as a hurdler, but after transitioning to middle-distance running, she won the world U20 800m title in 2002.

Known for orchestrating races with fast starts, Jepkosgei stood on a major championship podium every year from 2003 to 2011, earning the 2007 world 800m title, 2008 Olympic silver, and two more world silvers in 2009 and 2011.

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After transitioning into coaching, she has been massively involved in the sport. She notably discovered young Emmanuel Wanyonyi, whom she coached to his world U20 800m title in 2021, and then mentored alongside her former Italian coach, Claudio Berardelli, to his Olympic title in 2024.

Since 2022, Jepkosgei has also been the head coach of the U20 Athlete Refugee Team (ART), a women-driven programme based near the South Sudan border in East Africa.

She has embraced a mentorship role, passing on her vast experience to the next generation, a journey marked by her iconic victory in Osaka in 2007.

Jepkosgei’s winning singlet will sit alongside the shoes and clothing of other world 800m champions in the Heritage Collection of MOWA, including Ana-Fidelia Quirot, Maria Mutola, Willi Wülbeck, Wilson Kipketer, and David Rudisha.

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By World Athletics