Tirunesh Dibaba smashes 5000m World Record in Oslo
OSLO, Norway (June 6, 2008) – At 3000m, she was three seconds off record pace. A kilometer later, with help from her sister Ejegayehu, she was a second ahead. By the time she hit the tape, a joyous Tirunesh Dibaba had run 5000m faster than any woman on earth, in a staggering time of 14 minutes, 11.15 seconds for a new World Record at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games.
Dibaba now owns both the indoor and outdoor World Records for 5000 meters.. "I've been thinking about this for a long time," said the two-time 10,000-meter World Champion, "and this is a very special day for me."
The previous World Record (14:16.63) was held by countrywoman Meseret Defar, who set it last year at this same meet. While Dibaba had come into the meet confident that she could break the record, "I'm surprised that I broke it by that much."
Brought through 3000m in ideal conditions by a pacesetter, the 23-year-old was three seconds behind record pace. Her older sister then stepped in to help for a lap and a half, getting her back where she needed to be.
"The plan was there for Gigi to help me, and she helped me quite a bit," said Dibaba. "And I want to thank her for that." Ejegayehu would finish third, in 14:36.78, while younger sister Genzebe was seventh in 15:02.41. The trio, wrapped in their country's flag, proudly posed for a family portrait at
the finish line.
With two laps remaining and running alone, Dibaba knew she had the record, and running the final lap in 64 seconds just put the icing on the cake. It also inched her closer to considering an Olympic double at 5000m and 10,000m. (Dibaba is the 2005 World Champion at both distances.)
"I'm thinking that this makes a strong case for me," she said.
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