The queen of the 5,000 and 10,000 meters and her showdown with the Italian athlete: “I’ll give birth in June; it will be my most beautiful gold”
The Kenyan girls with their braids gaze at her adoringly, as one does with pop stars; she shyly hides her slightly protruding belly inside a black jacket. Seeing her like this, Beatrice Chebet, due to give birth in June, doesn’t look like the fierce 25-year-old dominator of the 5,000 and 10,000: she is the world record holder and reigning world and Olympic champion in both disciplines. In 2018 and 2019 she competed here at “Discovery Kenya”; in 2026 she is the special guest of her manager-dad, Gabriele Rosa. The other Italian woman in her life, however, is named Nadia: at Battocletti, so far, she has always blocked her path to the finish line.
So Beatrice, boy or girl?
“We don’t know yet, but it will be a blessing either way—the best gold medal life can give you. After achieving extraordinary results, I wanted to fulfill myself as a woman in this way too. We must respect everyone’s choices, but I want to be called ‘mom’ soon.”
Why did you choose this particular time?
“When you have a career, you have to plan every move carefully. 2026 is a year without World Championships or the Olympics—the right time to step back. I’ll aim to make a comeback in 2027 to be at my peak for Los Angeles 2028: I want to defend every hard-earned victory.”
But aren’t you afraid you might come back weaker than before?
“I think, on the contrary, that I’ll come back stronger; I have a bright future ahead of me. I’m convinced I’ll be able to unleash a new energy. I’d like to become an inspiration for female athletes and women in general, not just African women. It’s not fair to always have to choose between career and private life; we have the right to pursue both.”
Have you spoken with other colleagues who have been through the same situation?
“I’ll be in Milan during the Winter Games, and I’ll also meet Serena Williams: I’d love to share this aspect of our lives. My opponents have written to me too: for example, I received a beautiful private message from Nadia Battocletti.”
You, however, are the reason Battocletti doesn’t have Olympic or world gold medals…
“We’re rivals, but also friends. I like that she wants to get a degree and become an architect: she, too, thinks it’s important to find fulfillment outside of sports. On the track, she’s a tiger: she doesn’t look like a European athlete, but an African one…”
Explain that further.
“She never gives up; she’s tenacious and resilient, but she can also beat you in a sprint. Yes, there’s a bit of Africa in her too. And then she has patience, confidence, and talent. She knows her time will come soon: she can win the Ultimate Championship, and at the 2027 World Championships, when we’ll face off again, she could be very dangerous, especially in the 5,000.”
You also discussed your decision to become a mother with Dr. Gabriele Rosa, your longtime manager: what does he mean to you?
“He’s a father to us all, a visionary who understood the beauty and strength of Kenya. He saw the talent we didn’t see in ourselves. He made me realize I could do it and built the training camps where I was able to grow: without him, I’d be a different person, a different woman.”
To wrap up, what are your goals upon your return?
“I’m planning to focus on the marathon after Los Angeles. I have a lot of room to improve on the road; I can try to win everything there too. I’ve learned not to set limits for myself; I want to become the greatest long-distance runner of all time. As a mom.”
