Tirunesh Dibaba to marry Ethiopian team mate and fiance Sileshi Sihine

29 August, 2008

NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion Tirunesh Dibaba plans to repeat her golden double at the world athletics championships in Berlin next year.

"God willing, I hope to attempt it," Dibaba told Reuters during a reception this week at the Ethiopian embassy in Beijing.

Dibaba, 23, who completed the double at the 2005 Helsinki world championships also said she expects to marry Ethiopian team mate and fiance Sileshi Sihine, the Olympic 10,000 metres silver medallist, within the year.

"We haven't settled on the month or date yet, but we're thinking some time next year," said Dibaba, referring to the Ethiopian calendar year which starts on Sept. 11, 2008.

Dibaba recorded the second-fastest time ever, 29 minutes 54.66 seconds, in winning the Beijing 10,000 before taking the 5,000 a week later in a slow 15:41.40.

"A race is more entertaining when it's faster, but I was tired from running the 10,000 and I didn't want to take the lead," said Dibaba. "But I'm very happy I won."

Sihine said he was happier for Dibaba than he was for himself.

"It greatly encourages her to work hard, and myself to work hard, to achieve better things," he said.

Dibaba has followed in the footsteps of her cousin Derartu Tulu, who became black Africa's first female Olympic gold medalist when she won the 10,000 at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

"I may not be quite like her, but I am working hard," said Dibaba.

Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele, who won the men's 5,000-10,000 double in Beijing, were acclaimed by coach Miruts Yifter, who completed the same double at the 1980 Moscow Games.

"When, 28 years later, Kenenisa and Tirunesh meet with the same great fortune I had, what else can I say but that it gives me limitless joy," said Yifter.

Ethiopia's four gold medals in Beijing matched the nation's previous best gold tally won at the 2000 Sydney Games. The two doubles were celebrated abroad and at home by jubilant Ethiopians who feted the athletes in Beijing and upon their subsequent return to Addis Ababa. (Editing by John Mehaffey)