Bekele looks good for double

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-04 09:10

When Haile Gebrselassie was taking distance running to new levels a decade ago, few could have imagined that he would be eclipsed.

As it turns out, even before he had retired, he would be overshadowed by another Ethiopian, Kenenisa Bekele.

Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia runs the 10,000m race during the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field June 8, 2008 in Eugene, Oregon. Getty Images

Should these two men line up for the 10,000m final at the Beijing Olympics, the hot favorite will be Bekele - the world record holder, Olympic gold medalist and triple world champion.

The 26-year-old has a remarkably consistent career, winning championships, setting world records and dominating cross-country running over the past six years.

His 10,000m world record of 26min 17.53sec, set in 2005, is more than 5sec faster than Gebrselassie's 1998 record - itself half a minute better than William Sigie's 1994 mark.

Bekele also has the 5,000m world record of 12:37.35, also previously held by his compatriot.

His style is modelled on Gebrselassie too. Both men destroy their opponents with their finishing speed, and it is not unusual for Bekele to post a 53-second final lap.

With only six days between the 10,000m and 5,000m finals in Beijing, Bekele had said he planned to run only the longer distance, but it now looks possible he could run both events.

Gebrselassie is putting everything into the 10,000m race.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/04/2008 page11)