their domination across multiple distances and surfaces in the modern era is unparalleled
3.) Said Aouita and Eliud Kipchoge
First man to run sub 7:30, first to run sub 13 minutes, debut at 10000m less than 10 seconds of WR, next year medaled in Olympic 800m. ONLY ATHLETE to medal in both 800m and 5000m in any Olympics in their career in the modern era
E. Kipchoge's record speaks for itself
WOMEN'S
1 ) Tirunesh Dibaba multiple World X Golds in short and long course, double Olympic and World Olympic Gold, sub 2:20 marathon without super shoes, 3 time Olympic 10000m medalists
2. Faith Kipyegon her record speaks for itself
3.) Ingrid Kristenson she was the first modern runner to show versatility. Holding WR in the 5000, 10000m, and marathon at the same time. World X Country Champion and track World Champion
Ingrid Kristiansen (her maiden name was Kristensen, but she married a guy named Kristiansen).
Kenenisa Bekele.....I dont think its particularly close either. He turns 42 in June and may very well be on his way to ANOTHER olympic games while still posting some of the best Marathon times in the world
11 world XC titles, 5 world championship titles, 3 olympic titles, didnt lose a 10k race for 8 YEARS, held the WR for both 5k and 10k, along with a handful of major marathon wins...no one else has even close to such a dominant resume across so many distances.
A lot of interesting elements in your post. And as a Norwegian I like that you include Ingrid Kristiansen (her maiden name was Kristensen, but she married a guy named Kristiansen). -She bettered Joan Benoit’s 2 year old WR by 1min 37 sec in 1985. But she was really angry at her self afterwards (despite holding the marathon WR then for 13 years -before it was bettered in 1998 by 19 sec) -could have run significantly faster if she hadn’t been scared and confused by how fast it went in that solo race…
I have to write a teaser / provocation to guys like ObjectiveObserver who holds Jakob as a future Goat:
If Jakob doesn’t come back (and progressing) he, IMO, will be inferior to:
1. Ingrid Kristiansen -WR’s in the main events 5000/10000m +marathon. Track W Champion, xc W Champ.
2. Grete Waitz - WR marathon, W champ marathon, 5x W champ xc, 9 New York marathon wins.
3. Karsten Warholm -WR’s 400mh, Olympic champ, 3 x W champ.
Future: May be surpassed by Nordås -both when it comes to medals and times in 1500, 5000, 10000m and half marathon. May be surpassed by Ingvaldsen -times quality and medals in the 400m.
Sum: The big mouth Jakob Ingebrigtsen (no harm in that; Ingrid Kristiansen is a big mouth too, which I kind of like) will not be the athletics or distance Goat. And he will maybe only be the number 6 Goat in Norway -in running… (I have placed him -slightly- ahead of 800m Olympic champ Vebjørn Rodal, despite that the latter also broke the Olympic record, and regulary had to face the stellar Wilson Kipketer)…
So Jakob has a lot of unploughed ground to cover to even be a National Goat contender…
I don´t think you can provoke me Curious Dude!
If Jakob doesn´t come back it is obvious that he never can become the Goat.
If he does come back and overcomes his injury problems I maintain he has a chance to be the middle and long distance Goat. I, like many others, consider K. Bekele to be the undisputed Goat at the moment.
I have years ago predicted Jakob will take all the current WRs from 1500m to 10000m and I still believe this if he can continue his long term mainly aerobic training which will help him improve further over the coming years.
With these reservations I also think he will take many more OG and WC medals, including golds.
But to dethrone Bekele he has also need to do something to neutralize Bekele´s many X country golds and Marathon performances.
It could HM wins, wins in the road racing WC and perhaps some X country wins. It will be very difficult but a healthy Jakob is the only current runner who has a chance in my opinion.