Kenyan Beatrice Chebet, two-time Olympic and world champion in the 5,000m and 10,000m and holder of world records in both distances, will take a break from her career to become a mother in 2026, her agent announced this Monday (5).
“After much speculation, we can finally share the news: in 2026, Beatrice Chebet will run the most important race of her life: becoming a mother,” her agent announced on social media.
Chebet was one of the stars of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, in September 2025, where she shone in the 10,000 m before winning the 5,000 m, defeating her friend and fellow middle-distance star, Faith Kipyegon.
The 25-year-old athlete was supposed to defend her title on Saturday (10), at the World Cross Country Championships in Florida, but announced her withdrawal a few days ago, without giving a precise explanation and stating that she was looking forward to the “next chapter” of her life.
The 2026 season has no major championships, and the next major athletics event will be the World Championships, which will take place in Beijing in 2027, before the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
