Dibaba to target world mark in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, UK - Ethiopia's double Olympic gold medalist and nine-time world champion Tirunesh Dibaba has confirmed her participation in the Aviva Grand Prix to take place in Birmingham on February 21, 2009. Dibaba, who already holds the world record for 5000m, both indoors and outdoors, will aim for compatriot Meseret Defar's two-year old 3000m indoor world record.

"Dibaba is possibly the best female long distance runner in the world at the moment, so to have her at our meet in February is an exciting opportunity for both athletics fans and our home-grown athletes," said athlete coordinator Ian Stewart, who has also recently been named the National Endurace Coach for UK Athletics. He added, "It’s great news for the British girls as it will give them the opportunity of facing the best in the world on home turf and ensure they raise their game ahead of the European Indoor Championships." Read more…