Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba wins the 5,000 meters Olympics final clinching gold, only a week after wining the women’s 10,000 meters. In her unprecedented feat, Tirunesh became the first woman to win the Olympic double in history.
Tirunesh cruised to victory ahead of Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse and her compatriot and defending Olympic champion Meseret Defar. Her winning time was 15:41.40. Elvan, the Ethiopian-born Turkish runner, who changed her allegiance discontented with the management of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation won the silver medal in 15:42.74. Meseret Defar took the last spot on the podium finishing in 15:44.12.
Tirunesh’s victory and Meseret’s bronze moved Ethiopia on top in the African medals standings. Ethiopia is 22nd in the overall ranking.
MEN'S 10,000m
Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele successfully defended his Olympic 10,000 meters title today (Sunday) finishing in 27:01.17.
In doing so, Kenenisa sliced four seconds from the Olympic record he set in Athens four years ago. In Addison, Kenenisa's victory assured Ethiopia's dominance over the long distance race. On Friday, Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia clinched the gold medal in an Olympic record-breaking fashion in women's 10,000m race.
Also in the men's event, Sileshi Sihine defended his silver medal finishing behind Kenenissa, once again. Sileshi clocked 27:02.77 followed by Kenyan Micah Kogo.
In the overall medal standing, Ethiopia ranks 22 worldwide and tops the African continent.
Ethiopia's long-distance running ace Haile Gebresilassie finished sixth in 27:05.11. Eritrean national hero Zeresenay Tadese finished fifth.
Former
10,000m World and Olympic Champion Derartu Tulu congratulated the Ethiopian
team for the outstanding achievement.
Beijing Olympics Official Results
WOMENS 5,000m
|
RANK |
NAME |
NAT |
RESULT |
|
1. |
Tirunesh Dibaba |
ETH |
15:41.40 |
|
2. |
Elvan Abeylegesse |
TUR |
15:42.74 |
|
3. |
Meserte Defar |
ETH |
15:44.12 |
MEN'S 10,000m
|
|
