By Bob Ramsak
(c) 2009 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
ZÜRICH (27-Aug) Just five days after completing the first ever 5000
and 10,000m double victory at a world championships, Kenenisa Bekele
returns to the track to continue his chase for a piece of the $1
million ÅF Golden League Jackpot when the six-meet series continues
with the Weltklasse here on Friday.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Bekele said that he remains in
good shape and that hell be targeting a good time in the 5000m,
presumably an assault on his own world-leading 12:56.23 from Rome. He
added that after choosing to double in Berlin, an attack on his
12:37.35 world record is not likely in the cards. Another problem is
finding a non-Kenyan pacesetter --Kenyan officials arent too keen on
allowing one of their athletes to pace for an Ethiopian in a world
record bid-- to bring him through 3000 meters in about 7:35 this late
in the season.
Bekele hasnt lost a 5000m race since July 28, 2006, piecing together a
15-race win streak since, and one that doesnt look to be under serious
threat this weekend.
The list of potential spoilers includes Kenyan Moses Masai, who took
bronze in the 10,000m in Berlin and has a 12:50.55 career best; Ugandan
Moses Kipsiro, who was fourth in the 5000 in Berlin and has a 12:50.72
best; Kenyan Leonard Patrick Komon, who was third in Rome with
12:58.24; and Kenyan Edwin Soi, who was fourth at the Kenyan Trials
over the distance and hasnt raced since. Newcomer Sammy Mutahi of
Kenya could be a factor as well. Just 20, he ran well in the London
5000 to finish second, has clocked 7:33.02 for 3000m this summer, and
hasnt raced since 2 August.
Powered by what is widely thought to be the biggest athlete budget on
the one-day meet circuit, there will be plenty of star power on hand at
the sold-out Letzigrund Stadium. The main act will be double world
champion and world record holder Usain Bolt, wholl compete twice,
first in the 100m and then again in the 400m relay. Zürich organizers
have managed to lure recently-minted world champions in all but one
event on the program.
In the mens 800m, South African Mbulaeni Mulaudzi returns to the
track, for the first time as world champion. Hell face Alfred Kirwa
Yego, whom he edged by just 0.06 seconds in Berlin four days ago;
Russian Yuriy Borzakovskiy, who was fourth in Berlin; and U.S. champion
Nick Symmonds, who was sixth in Berlin. Looking to make amends for a
lackluster showing in Berlin will be Kenyan David Rudisha, who didnt
advance from the semi-finals.
Also looking to run better than in Berlin will be another Kenyan Asbel
Kiprop, the Olympic 1500m silver medalist, whose poorly planned and
executed race in the world championship final cost him a medal (he
finished fourth). Leading the field is the middle distance breakout
from Berlin, Yusuf Saad Kamel, the 1500m champion who also took bronze
in the 800m, his former event.
Im a little tired after six races in Berlin, Kamel said, but Im in
really good shape at the moment, and Im looking forward to a good
race. Hes hoping to join the ranks of the sub-3:30 club tomorrow.
In all, six of the 12 Berlin finalists will reunite here --the others
include world leader Augustine Choge of Kenya, who was fifth, Moroccan
Mohamed Moustaoui who was sixth, and Americans Lopez Lomong and Leo
Manzano, who were eighth and 12th, respectively.
The steeplechase fields includes the top four finishers --medallists
Ezekiel Kemboi and Richard Matelong from Kenya and Frenchman Bob
Tahri-- and seven of the top 10 from Berlin.
In the women's 1500m, the only middle or long distance event on the
women's program, five of the first six finishers from Berlin will toe
the line. Two-time world champion Maryam Jamal will again take on
Briton Lisa Dobriskey and America Shannon Rowbury, who took silver and
bronze behind the Ethiopian-born Bahraini. Americans Christin
Wurth-Thomas and Anna Willard, fifth and sixth respectively, are also
in the field.
Notable absentees include Spanish Berlin finalists Nuria Fernandez, who
finished fourth, and Natalia Rodriguez, who finished first but was
later disqualified.
Along with Bekele, recently minted world 400m champion Sanya Richards
of the USA, world 100m silver medalist Kerron Stewart of Jamaica, and
Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva remain in the hunt for a share
of the sports biggest prize. Isinbayeva no-heighted in Berlin.
A pleasant evening is in the forecast, with temperatures in the low 70s (22 C.) expected, with a 20 percent chance of rain.