I truly think you may be onto something Vipam.
The X-Country meet will be very interesting and I look forward to it with great interest. The Ethopian women have been quiet and I haven't figured out why they didn't run x-country much this year.
Vipam I enjoy your post and eagerly await your next topic!
Thanks
The main individuals who are expected to challenge Paula for the 10000m Gold- Gete Wami, Derartu Tulu, & Sun Yinjie-
have all been quiet. There are small number of reports that they are training harder than usually to challenge Paula this summer.
Its going to be a barnburner! The womens 1500m, mens 5000m
and both the 10000m should all have FAST and dramatic competition.
Vipam
Whats with the Ethopians continuing the sham that Kenenisa may not be running the World X-Country Championships? If he was not running they would announce it soon as possible, to allow the Kenyans to gain confidence in hopes of one of their guys (ethopians) snagging the victory from the relaxed Kenyans. By saying Kenenisa may run only keep the Kenyans in CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE ANY MISTAKE MODE to prepare for Kenenisa.
Kenenisa will definetly run both the long/short course.
According to an Ethopian friend of mine, Bekele will be running the World X-Country Champions (small chance he will
run both the short and long course).
When does the World X-Country starts and how do I find out who's running?
I heard Bikila was on EPO too. Geb is on chaat... etc I think great runners need someone like you to agitate them so that they will prove you are on something when you write. Geb has already proved that to your kind ppl. The great marathon runner Alberto Salazar said; ?Whatever we accomplish in life, if it is solely for our own good, then it doesn?t mean that much. The things you do that affect others in a positive way are the one that count. Whatever facet of life you?re in, God has given a gift, do the best you can with that gift.? For some ppl Geb is more than a drugged runner.
Zico
Speculation without any hard evidence or legitimate information is wrong and weak. The sport of Track and Field/Running needs unfound accusations about as much as
Africa needs more good runners. As for as Geb and Kenenisa
I doubt very seriously if either are on banned substances.
The reign of Geb continues in 2003, while Kenenisa looks to broaden his new reign from x-country to the track. MOST athletes are clean and work extremely hard and therefore should be spared accusations until proven guilty.
Vipam
go to
there is a article about the US women (long course) aiming for a team gold medal at the 2003 World X-Country.
To Those Interested
A week ago (Mar 17, 2003) I posted that Kenenisa Bekele would be participating in the World X-Country and the earliest report from any other media source was March 21, 2003. The same reliable source indicates that Derartu Tulu having some great training/workouts leading up to the London Marathon.
I haven't heard anything solid or reliable in relation to Gete Wami, but as soon as I do I will post it.
To my Kenyan friend, where are you?
Vipam
Vipam, you have less than 24 hours before you either appear very bright about your predictions for Kenenisa or very wrong. I happen to read the article from the iaaf about the women's preview and I cannot believe they pick the teenager Alice Timbilil as a favortie over Deena Drossin.
What have Alice done lately to deserve such lofty praise?
Say Vipam
I was right about Kenenisa; however, I was wrong about Deena Drossin winning. I would much rather Deena won, but Kenenisa deserved to win as he was the close of the short course and the Kenyans said a double win IS IMPOSSIBLE!! We will see!!!
Vipam
I am going to Ethiopia for the 3rd Ethiopian Great run next November and I can not wait to meet him.
First of all his name is Bekele not Bikila, okay. You know I have a lot Ethiopian athlete friends including Haile, and what you said about EPO is far from the truth. I can tell you that not too long ago an IAAF rep came to EAF unannounced and tested athletes randomly that includes Haile and Bekele and everybody was clean. So next time before opening your mouth get your facts.
The Kenyans were noticeably upset after Bekele's easy victory in the short course race (according to a KENYAN friend of mine who attended the meet) and if he wins tomorrow I think the Kenyans MIGHT become overly-fixated on him in future Championship races. I wish I could see the race in person!!!
Vipam
Interesting and scary article appears on
, "Kenyans drowned by Bekele victory". Just how damn good is this kid?
Wonderwhosinsecond
Kenenisa Bekele talent is phenomanal, the Kenyans all but guaranteed that he would not double and they thought wrong!
The effort the Kenyan team put forth was admirable; however, Kenenisa was having it and simple put the hammer down after halfway point and easily dispatch a group that set out to break him!
Kenenisa should be running the 10000m at this Outdoor Worlds, but his fellow countrymen Haile and Jos Hermans convinced him to run the 5000m!
12:46 and 26:42 are reasonable goals for the young Ethopian: Kenenisa Bekele this year.
Vipam
I think the main person who makes decision who run what is Dr. Woldemskel Kostre who is a national coach for EAF not Haile and definitely not Jos Hermans who is only a manger for those guys.
Trust me Haile and Jos have more influence than any individual in the Ethopian athletic organization. Jos was the one in an interview last month saying, "They (Kenenisa and Haile) will meet next year; however, not too many times. Its too earlier, Kenenisa will concentrate on the 5000m and Haile on the 10000m."
Vipam
May be you are right, but I know most of these runners in person and know a lot stuff. I think you are right Jos manages Haile, Bekele, Wami, Jifar & some others to have some influence over them but he doesn't manage Gebre Egeziaber, Deratu, Gezhene, Kuma, Dibaba and a lot others so how can you say he has influence over them. I have met Dr. Kostre in Edmonton two years ago and has seen him in action to know he is the man. Did you know Jos and other managers to pay more $20,000 or more a year to EAF to mange Ethiopian athletes?
denver runner
I think you might misunderstood what I said. The trio of Kenenisa, Haile, and Jos have more clout/influence than any other group in Ethopia. With Kenenisa being a gold medal FAVORITE for the 5000m and Haile THE gold medal FAVORITE in the 10000m that gives them and Jos alot of influence. This year you will see it when meet promoters create races for them and summon up pacemakers for fast times/world record attempts should they (Kenenisa & Geb) ask for them, regardless if it is well in advance or a day or two before the meet. Whomever manages Werknesh, Derartu, and the other Geb will not have as much athletic clout as Kenenisa, Haile, and Jos!
Vipam
Vipam,
Sorry, I totally misunderstood your point. I thought you were saying Jos has influence over the Ethiopian Athletic Federation and you are right between Haile and Keneisa racing, he has a huge influence unless it is Olympic, X-cross country and World championship.