Ethiopia Insight - Meseret Defar breaks world indoor record

Meseret Defar breaks world indoor record

AP Photo: Meseret Defar
from Ethiopia on her way to
the 3,000 meters world
record in 8:23.72...

Meseret Defar from Ethiopia
celebrates after her 3,000
meters world record in 8:23.72
minutes

04 February 2007

STUTTGART, Germany - Meseret Defar set a women's world record in the indoor 3,000 meters Saturday in a race in which the top two runners broke the old mark by more than 4 seconds.

The Ethiopian's time of 8 minutes, 23.72 seconds beat the old mark of 8:27.86 set by Liliya Shobukhova Schobukara of Russia on Feb. 17, 2006, in Moscow.

Defar, the Olympic champion at 5,000 meters, edged Messelech Melkamu by 0.02. Both Ethiopians, running far ahead of the field, beat the old record with a sprint over the final 300 meters.

(AP)