Will Kenenisa setle for a personal best in the 3000m June 27 (faster than 7:30.67), run for the win, or go all out and attack Komen's superhuman record as a final test before his resume training after his Lausanne 5000m? I say he wants to attack the world record but his manager may persuade him not to attempt it so I say, 7:26.01.
VIPAM
I think he's just gonna try to run real fast, and if he can negative split to the record if possible, otherwise go for sub 7:25.
I agree that Bekele is going to double. Its the Olympics, why would he hold back. If he wins the 10k what does he have to lose. He is only real Ethiopian contender in the 5k, Gebremariam and Sihine aren't quick enough to get in front of Kipchoge, Kibowen, Chebeii and the El G to get medals, however Bekele is.
Actually if Bekele only runs I event I think it will the 5k, because he is their only real hope over 5k, whereas over 10k they have the potential to sweep with Geb, Sihine and Gebremariam. I think fresh in the 5k, Bekele can destroy anyone. He's elevated his game. The only two who I think can get him are Chebeii, if the pace is perfect for him, or Kipchoge. Dropping Bekele is not going to happen anymore. If he is to be beat it must be in the sprint, which is why I say the two Kenyans are the only ones who have even a slight chance, El G's drive will not work on Bekele anymore.
Anyone hear Kenenisa is engaged to 16 year old Alem Techale?
Alem won the World Youth 1500m Championship last year and have a good kick just like her financee. The funny thing is Kenenisa said she was 18 years old but her birthdate is Dec 13, 1987. I bet she improves her 4:14.41 personal best significantly now in the next 2 months and probably 4:01 or faster next year.
MacKenzie
Kenenisa Bekele isn't a fool he knows he is capable of running and possibly winning both the 5000m and 10000m at Athens. Kenenisa wants strongly to etch his name in the history books and that includes doing things Haile hasn't; therefore, the double is part of his plans.
As far as rivals I see Hicham and Eluid more of a rival then Abraham Chebii. Abraham is one of the greatest kickers of all-time but how fast can he run a super fast 5000m and still utilize his kick (could he do so at 12:43-12:47 pace)-he haven't shown the speed of Hicham or Eluid in shorter distances. Eluid Kipchoge recently showed that he have tremendous 1500m speed and therefore along with Hicham could improve more in the 5000m-maybe Abraham could as well.
I still wouldn't count out one Kenyan this year-Nicholas Kemboi in the 10000m.
VIPAM
Vipam, that's a lot of racing during those 8 days. Are you sure that he'll double? Ten again, after world cross I would not be surprised.
There are no heats in the 10000m; therefore, its the same as last year Worlds (different venue and weather but STRONGER/faster Kenenisa Bekele). I don't go by what Kenenisa say in reference to Championships as evident of his I'm not gonna double at the last two World X-Country Championships (then announced he would shortly before the Worlds X). Kenenisa may not double but I seriously think he will, he have no reason not to try the double in his current form.
VIPAM
On another note, how far away are the olympics? 10 weeks? Has KennyB peaked and can one stay peaked for that long?
(I also worry about Webb being peaked)
It looks like Nicholas Kemboi will not be leaving Kenya to run for Bahrain. This may add another dimension to the race. It at least gives Kenya someone who certainly has the capablility to prevent an Ethiopian sweep if the pace goes very fast. I don't think he beat Bekele but he could knock of Geb and/or Sihine.
Here's the link to the article, its about Cherono and mentions Kemboi towards the end.
it is true wrote:
On another note, how far away are the olympics? 10 weeks? Has KennyB peaked and can one stay peaked for that long?
(I also worry about Webb being peaked)
The word among those who know is that Bekele hasn't peaked yet. Those two recent world records of 12.37 for 5000 and 26.20 for 10000m were pre Olympic build up races, before he goes into his final track training phase for the year.
Kenenisa is a long way from peaking this year. When an athlete runs fast in early season he still have time to start fine tuning to peak later in the year. Kenenisa will be at the top for years to come but he will have more challengers than Haile had in his day. Tariku Bekele-17 years old 13:12.49 5000m-may be one to challenge his brother in the future as well as a few others. The level of 5000m and 10000m had dropped alittle since Paul Tergat vs. Haile days but rose greatly when Kenenisa B. emerged. That is impact the Bekeles will continue to have on the distance world.
Kenenisa is a long way from peaking this year. When an athlete runs fast in early season he still have time to start fine tuning to peak later in the year. Kenenisa will be at the top for years to come but he will have more challengers than Haile had in his day. Tariku Bekele-17 years old 13:12.49 5000m-may be one to challenge his brother in the future as well as a few others. The level of 5000m and 10000m had dropped alittle since Paul Tergat vs. Haile days but rose greatly when Kenenisa B. emerged. That is impact the Bekeles will continue to have on the distance world.
Saif Saaed Shaheen of Quatar may be entering the 3000m at Gateshed against Kenenisa Bekele. I hope Saif does run so Kenenisa can test himself against another ultra fast closer in what I anticipate to be a fast run. I know I created this thread about Kenenisa but to add something interesting Paula going for a sub 30 minute 10000m this weekend. For more information on both races go to
. Can Saif beat Kenenisa-I don't think so, at least not in a very fast race.
VIPAM
I am amazed that some people dare use Geb and EPO in the same sentence. Is it that hard to accept the fact that eachtime geb or now, Kenenissa steps on the track everybody's ass is KICKED so well? I sincerely believe that east africans run clean - and Geb is a class by himself. So retract your words because you have a VERY SAD outlook if you associate GEB and his 17 WRs with drugs!!!!!!
If Saif, Eliud, Hicham, and Geb can't beat Kenenisa anymore who can beat him and why wouldn't he double at the Olympics? Vipam or anyone is there an athlete who can beat a fit K. Bekele?
No, not even Eliud. Will Bekele be at his best? Maybe Wondimu in 3 years time?
If Kenenisa Bekele is fit it will be extremely difficult for anyone to beat him; however, there are several athletes that have the capabilities to challenge/beat even a fit Kenenisa. These athletes would loses to Kenenisa far more than they would win but nonetheless possess the talent to beat EVEN A FIT Kenenisa on rare occassions (within a couple of years):
Eliud Kipchoge (Ken)
Tariku Bekele (Eth)
Sileshi Sihine (Eth)
Abraham Chebii (Ken)
Hilliary Chenonge (Ken)
Hicham El Guerrouj (Mor)
Alan Webb (USA)
James Kwalia (Ken)
Nicholas Kemboi (Ken)
Alex Kipchirchir (Ken)
Issac Songok (Ken)
athletes in order of who I think possess the best chance to beat Kenenisa-if at all!
The reality of the matter is that while they have the potential, potential alone doesn't get the job done-especially against Kenenisa Bekele. While I do think Kenenisa will enjoy impressive win streaks in the 3000m, 5000m, & 10000m-I also expect ONE OF THE ABOVE individuals to break the streaks-(he will have a couple of long win streaks)-but on VERY, VERY RARE occassions.
VIPAM
This could put a slight damper on the rest of the season:
http://www.iaaf.org/GP04/news/Kind=2/newsId=25849.html
Bekele – Injured
The Athletissima meeting was to be highlighted by the appearance of World 5000 and 10,000 metres record holder Kenenisa Bekele in the former event, in what was to have been his last competive outing before the Olympic Games.
However, Bekele in the last hour (1800hrs CET) has today had to withdraw due to the recurrence of an old Achilles injury in his left leg.
The remaining field is still top notch including Ethiopia's Sileshi Sihine, who was second in the Rome Golden League meeting with 12:47.04, the junior Mulugeta Wondimu (second in Hengelo in 13:01.28), Markos Geneti, and Abyote Abate (PB 13:00.36).
The Kenyan challenge is led by John Kibowen, fourth placer at the World Championships in Paris (12:54.07 - PB), the 2001 World champion Richard Limo (12:59.37 in Rome on Friday), and Benjamin Limo, the World silver medallist in the 5000 metres in Seville 1999.
....looks like he may need some extra juice to deal with the injury....
I'm a big fan of Kenenisa Bekele; however, I don't believe very much he says before MAJOR Championships (World Outdoor, X-Country, Olympics). Kenenisa just like Said Aouita uses mental warfare in track championships-I'm stating what I believe is Kenenisa intentions, because he doesn't need to do this. Remember Kenenisa:
1.)2003 X-Country-I don't know if my federation will let me double, he was already listed on the both entry lists.
2.)2003 World X-Country Championships again federation may not pick me for both 5000m and 10000m, then it was my first Championship don't want to take on too much.
3.)this past 2004 X-Country season-I don't know if I will do both-opposition is strong, fitness is uncertain and may just do long course. Then he went out partying and stayed out past 12 midnight the day before his first race.
Kenenisa is utilizing everything he can in my opinion to go down in history as the first man in modern history to win both the 5000m and 10000m in the Olympics-where better to do it than where the Olympics began in Athens. Bekele's eye is set on history, he is trying to devert some of the pressure of being the favorite in unbelievable fitness-to catch his rivals off guard if only by alittle. I feel he doesn't need to play these mind games!
VIPAM
[quote]Vipam wrote:
To all PEOPLE WHO SAID I was wrong or crazy, when I said Bekele would break Haile's world records when I started this post and others-I GUESS I WASN'T WRONG! He said he won't double at the Olympics but he will if his federation allow him to run both events. He will run one at the Ethopian Championships and hope to be selected to the other event.
partial quote from June 8, 2004
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http://www.iaaf.org/OLY04/news/Kind=2/newsId=26207.html
I KNEW his federation would select him for both and HE WILL RUN BOTH, ignore his reported injury-Kenenisa is fitter than when he ran his world records! Little Geb is reported to almost be a lock in the final selection for the 5000m and Haile and Sileshi in the 10000m! The last Ethopians men's team 5000m spot is currently still up for grabs.
VIPAM