Ethiopia's Dibaba wins 10,000m gold
Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba celebrates with her country's
flag after winning the gold medal after the women's
10000-meter final during the athletics competitions in
the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in
Beijing, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
Ethiopia's gold medal winner Tirunesh Dibaba is flanked by
Turkey's silver medal winner Elvan Abeylegesse, left, and
United States' bronze medal winner Shalane Flanagan, right,
during the medal ceremony for the women's 10000-meter
during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at
the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Saturday,
Aug. 16, 2008.
15 August, 2008
BEIJING (AFP) - Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba produced her trademark electric last lap to win the women's 10,000 metres gold medal at the Olympics on Friday.
Ethiopia's gold medal winner Tirunesh
Dibaba reacts during the medal
ceremony for the women's
10000-meter, Beijing 2008 Olympics,
Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008.
Dibaba set a new Olympic record time of 29 minutes 54.66 seconds in perfect conditions at a packed National Stadium, setting herself well on the way for a 5000 and 10,000m double in Beijing.
The reigning double world 10,000m champion had been happy to follow the race leaders for all but one of the 25 laps.
But as soon as the bell for the final lap sounded, Dibaba opened up and pulled away with ease from silver medallist Elvan Abeylegesse, the Ethiopian-born runner representing Turkey.
American Shalane Flanagan won a shock bronze medal in 30:22.22.
Kenyan-born Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat led through the first 17 laps, with Kenyan duo Lucy Wangui and Linet Chepkwemoi Masai, Ethiopian Mestawet Tufa, Abeylegesse and Dibaba happy to sit on her shoulder.
As the main pack fell to seven with eight laps to go, Abeylegesse kicked past Kiplagat and upped the speed.
Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia, foreground left, and Asli Cakir of
Turkey, foreground right, clear the water jump as other
competitors negotiate it in a women's 3000m steeplechase
heat during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium
at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008.
Her move had the desired effect as runners drastically fell off the pace, and with six laps to go, the race became a straight duel between Abeylegesse and Dibaba.
As the bell went, Dibaba stretched her legs and by 100 metres had built up a comfortable lead on her former compatriot.
The Ethiopian, who this season has won the world cross-country title and in June set a 5,000m world record, sprinted home to finish more than a second in front, having lapped tiring runners on her way to gold.