Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia(C) takes gold in the Women’s 10000m in Beijing
(BEIJING, August 15) — Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia won gold and set a new Olympic Record in the Women’s 10000m at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 15.
Dibaba’s time of 29:54.66 was enough to break the old record of 30:17.49 set by fellow Ethiopian Derartu Tulu and hold off silver medalist Elvan Abeylegess of Turkey who ran a time of 29:56.34. Bronze went to Shalane Flanagan of the United States in a time of 30:22.22.
Kenya’s Linet Chepkwemoi Masai set a new world junior record as well as a new Kenyan record with a time of 30:26.50, while fifth place getter, Maria Konovalova of Russia set a new personal best of 30:35.84.
Russia’s Inga Abitova and Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands finished sixth and eighth respectively, with both setting season best times.
Masai’s team mate, Lucy Kabuu Wangui of Kenya finished seventh in a personal best time of 30:39.96.
The world record of 29:31.78 seconds in this event is held by China’s Wang Junxia China, set in 1993.
The final of the Men’s 10000m will be held at the National Stadium on Sunday, August 17.
(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)