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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Jelimo’s Followup: A Little Patience, Please

Posted May 29th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

After her stunning breakout performance at the FBK Games in Hengelo last Saturday, Pamela Jelimo can be forgiven for getting just a little bit ahead of herself.

Moments after her brilliant 1:55.76 run, a world junior record and the fastest 800m in the world in five years, the 19-year-old told reporters that her next outing would come at Sunday’s AF Golden League opener in Berlin.

But as Kenyan media are reporting, Athletics Kenya, the country’s governing body, may have other ideas. Aiming to keep their latest star fresh for the Olympic Games, the federation apparently hasn’t granted permission for her to compete, requesting instead that she report to a pre-Olympic training camp post haste.
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Jelimo, Gebrselassie Steal the Show in Hengelo

Posted May 24th, 2008 at 5:33 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Those fortunate enough to secure a ticket to this afternoon’s 26th edition of the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo witnessed a pair of stellar performances that will not be quickly forgotten: a legend of the sport who stubbornly and thankfully refuses to step aside, and the possible birth of another.

14 years after setting his first world record on the Hengelo track, Haile Gebrselassie (Pictured) returned to the venue carrying the role of sentimental favorite in the 10,000m, but in reality was an underdog in his quest to achieve a qualifying performance for a fourth consecutive Olympic team berth.
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Gebrselassie Could Make Beijing U-turn

Posted March 13th, 2008 at 2:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics

Ethiopian distance running star Haile Gebrselassie says he may compete over the marathon at the 29th Beijing Olympics if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes changes to the event’s venue and starting time.

On Monday, the world marathon record holder and former double Olympic 10000m champion announced that he will not take part in this year’s Olympic marathon citing Beijing’s pollution and fearing the aggravation of his own exercise-induced asthma.

But speaking on Wednesday, the 34-year old said, “I do not want to rule anything out at this point. This decision is not about Haile. It is about all athletes who will be competing. Our safety has to be protected.”
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Gebrselassie sets sights on Berlin, world-record

Posted June 14th, 2007 at 12:42 PM by Jessica Galvano

Section: News & Results, Marathons

After running 2:05:56 to clinch a first-place finish at the Berlin Marathon last year, Haile Gebrselassie will return to this year’s field and attempt another winning performance. No doubt intending to defend his title, the Ethiopian marathoner has his sights set on something more: a world record. While Gebrselassie currently holds the title of Berlin champion, the title of world champion has managed to escape him by mere seconds.

As the site of Gebrselassie’s personal best, Berlin has produced some of the marathons fastest finishes, most notable among them Paul Tergat’s world record 2:04:55 in 2003. Despite many attempts at the record, Tergat’s time—at least for now—remains unbeatable. This year however, Gebrselassie hopes to end the Kenyan’s four-year run as world record holder.
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VIDEO: Jeremy Wariner edges Gary Kikaya in the 400m

Posted May 28th, 2007 at 4:01 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

World and Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner missed a $10,000 bonus after missing the 44 second barrier, but won his specialty handily in 44.43, well outside his season’s best and world-pacing 44.03 from Osaka. Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo was second.

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Gebrselassie; Bekele show excellent form in Hengelo

Posted May 27th, 2007 at 1:37 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

It has been nearly three years since he raced on the track, but Haile Gebrselassie showed excellent form tonight in Hengelo, breaking the 27 minute barrier for the eighth time in his illustrious career.

Gebrselassie, whose official age is 34 but many observers believe he is at least a few years older, finished fifth in 26:52.81. The race was won by his compatriot Sileshi Sihine who ran the second-fastest 10,000m of his career: 26:48.73. Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya was third in a personal best 26:49.01 and Moses Mosop was fourth in 26:49.55, also setting a personal best.

Gebrselassie has broken 27 minutes more times than any other runner. World record holder Kenenisa Bekele is next on the list with five sub-27:00 clockings, while Sihine is third with four.

Speaking of Bekele, he easily won the two-mile event in Hengelo, covering the last lap in about 55 seconds. A recent story in the Kenyan press about Bekele’s struggle to regain his form after the IAAF World Cross Country Championships may have overstated the depth of his problems. He clocked 8:13.51 to Edwin Soi’s 8:16.98.
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VIDEO: Barber wins 100m race at the IAAF Grand Prix in Hengelo

Posted May 27th, 2007 at 1:07 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

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Gebrselassie returns to the track in Hengelo

Posted May 24th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Haile Gebrselassie will make an unexpected return to the track at Saturday’s THALES FBK-Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, the track where the Ethiopian great previously set four world bests or records. Gebrselassie’s last track race was the 2004 Olympic Games 10,000m final where he finished fifth. He turned to road running exclusively in 2005, and last ran in Hengelo three years ago.

Gebrselassie will run the 10,000m in Hengelo, and he’s doing his best to keep expectations modest. “Of course I am not so good any longer as I was at the end of the nineties as I broke world records, but Hengelo is my favourite race,” he said through a media release.
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