The queen of the 5,000 and 10,000 meters and her duel with the Italian athlete: “I’m going to give birth in June, it will be my most beautiful gold medal.”

The Kenyan girls with their braids look at her adoringly, as one would a pop star, while she shyly hides her slightly protruding belly inside a black jacket. Seeing her like this, Beatrice Chebet, who will become a mother in June, does not look like the fierce 25-year-old tyrant of the 5,000 and 10,000 meters: she is the world record holder and reigning world and Olympic gold medalist in both disciplines. In 2018 and 2019, she competed here at Discovery Kenya, and in 2026, she is the special guest of her manager and father, Gabriele Rosa. The other Italian woman in her life, on the other hand, is called Nadia: so far, she has always blocked Battocletti’s 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. You have to 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 Olympics, the right time to stop. I’ll think about coming back in 2027 to be at my best in Los Angeles in 2028: I want to defend every hard-earned success.”

But aren’t you afraid of coming back weaker than before?

“On the contrary, I think I’ll come back stronger. I have a bright future ahead of me. I’m convinced that I’ll be able to unleash new energy. I’d like to become an inspiration for 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 talked to other colleagues who have been in the same situation?

“I’ll be in Milan during the Winter Games, and I’ll also meet Serena Williams. I’d like to share this aspect of our lives. My opponents have also written to me. For example, I received a beautiful private message from Nadia Battocletti.”

However, you are the reason why Battocletti does not have any Olympic or world gold medals…

“We are rivals, but also friends. I like the fact that she wants to graduate and become an architect: she also thinks it is important to fulfill herself outside of sport. On the track, she’s a tiger: she doesn’t seem like a European athlete, but an African one…”

Explain that to us.

“She doesn’t give up, she’s tenacious and resilient, but she can also beat you in a sprint. Yes, there’s Africa inside her too. And then she has patience, confidence, talent. She knows her time will come soon: she can win the Ultimate Championship and at the 2027 World Championships, when we return to compete against each other, she can be very dangerous, especially in the 5,000.”

Her decision to become a mother was also shared with Dr. Gabriele Rosa, her long-time manager: what does this figure mean to her?

“He is everyone’s father, a visionary who understood the beauty and strength of Kenya. He saw the talent that we didn’t see in ourselves. He made me understand that I could do it and built the camps where I was able to grow: without him, I would be a different person, a different woman.”

Finally, what are your goals for your return?

“I’m planning to focus on the marathon after Los Angeles. I have a lot of potential 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 ever. As a mother.”