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Welcome to Athens Athletics Day 1 - 20th August |
Day One of the Athens 2004 athletics
The highlight and most anticipated event of the day was the
10 000m for men, where Ethiopian, Haile Gebrselassie, was
on stage with the Heir Apparent, Kenenisa Bekele.
The Emperor is Dead - Long Live
the Emperor
The 10 000m race lived up to expectations and then more.
From the gun the 2 main protagonists from the Ethiopian Express,
Kenenisa Bekele and Sihine Sileshi, moved to the front.
1K was passed in 2:50.85 with the pace equating to
an overall time of 28:20, however we all knew that this would
not be the final time.
The pack was tightly bunched and it was only a matter of
time before a mishap could occur, as often legs can become
tangled. America's Dan Browne was prominant.
2K passed in 5:45.16 with Rwanda's Dieudonne Disi
out in front, closely followed by the massive pack. Then it
happened, Tanzania's John Yuda, a contender for a top 10 finish,
came tumbling down. Taking a hefty fall which would cause
him the withdraw later in the race
Slowly the composure of the race began to change with Gebrselassie
appearing in front as they moved towards 3K in 8:33.98.
Sihine would continue providing the pace, never a harsh injection,
but more an even tempo. 4k passed in 11:15.87 with
Bekele at the front and after an injection of pace from the
'heir apparent' they reached 5K in 13:50.87
By now the pack had been split and the scenario was being
set for a similar finish as at the Paris
WC 10 000m in 2003. There was only the familiar sight
of Africans in the Top 10 now and the rest of the World could
only watch on in awe.
Sihine took over the pace duties and Bekele took control
from the rear of the trio. However, we were to learn that
Geb wasn't feeling his perky self and muttered a few words
to his team-mates. The Ugandian athlete, Boniface Kiprop and
the Eritraen, Zersenay Tadesse, are now back in contention.
And it is as though, Kiprop realises that something is 'a
miss', that he attempts to take the lead from Geb. However,
Bekele wont allow this and assumes control at the head of
affairs. Kiprop's main concern seems to ve the fact that the
Kenyans have rejoined them after losing contact earlier.
Bekele surveys the situation going through 6K in 16:34.51
and what he does next is play a major role in the weakening
of Geb. He raises the tempo with a 61 second lap and Kiprop
is holding on for dear life with the Kenyans losing further
contact. Geb begins to show signs of wear and shortly after
7K in 19:11.92 he is passed by Kiprop.
Coming into the straight and Bekele maintained the pace,
it was to be a sub 62 second lap and reason enough for Geb
to feel the pace. As they re-enter the straight Bekele realsies
that Geb is in trouble and both he and Sihine turn to look
for their once 'Great Emperor of the Track', who has now dropped
to 5th place.
Kiprop at the head of affairs, does not seize the opportunity
to apply the pressure and they pass through 8K in 21:57.18
, this after a slow 67.46 lap. The young Ugandan will regret
this later, as he had the opportunity to cement a top 3 finish
and he has allowed Tadesse to edge ever closer with only 2K's
of the race to go.
Then going down the backstraight, the tempo is not raised
and Geb and Tadesse join the front 3. Tadesse realises that
a slowing of the pace will benefit Geb's recovery and he goes
to the front without hesitation. A move which no doubt benefitted
him immensely.
Geb has no respite and is again under pressure to maintain
contact. However, there is no coming back from this and the
'Dynamic Ethiopian Duo', Bekele and Sihine, decide it is time
to stamp their total authority on the race. Kiprop responds
to their surge, while Tadesse maintains one pace. The 2 Ethiopians
are clear with Kiprop in pursuit down the backstraight. This
will prove to be the final undoing of Kiprop, while Tadesse
seems more focused after not going with the 61 second lap
the Ethiopians threw in.
Sihine and Bekele gallop towards 9K with no pressure from
their rivals. 9K is passed in 24:37.19. With 2 laps
to go the duo are clear of their pursuers and Tadesse has
caught Kiprop and is now dueling for the bronze. The lads
up front have 'dawdled' a 64 second lap and now step up a
gear. The penultimate lap is a 62 second and Bekele begins
to motor away from Sihine in the most impressive manner, as
bolts over the tartan to a new Olympic Record with blistering
last lap in 52 seconds. Pure class.
Finish Time = 27:05.10
Sihine takes a deserved silver in 27:09.39 and Tadesse a
magnificent bronze in a National Record of 27:22.57. Kiprop
is well satisfied with his 4th place [ 27:25.48 ] ahead of
the "Living Legend" Gebrselassie in 5th.
There are jubilant celebrations amongst the Ethiopians and
their fans, however it is also the 'swansong' for Haile Gebrselassie
and there is a taint of sadness. However, for Geb, the marathon
awaits.
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