1985 race -- and that was a real race!
Cova had a blistering kick - Maree was no slouch eiter
About a 54.4 last lap. Incredible in a world record race. Not to mention the slender margin he broke it by.
Thanks
Geb runs 12:56 six years later. And eventually brings it all the way to 12:39.
But the race where Geb brought the WR from 12:55 to 12:44 changed the perception of what is possible in distance running.
So true. That, plus his 26:43 changed everything.
watch the geb 5k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO8lhUhBo2Q
"now running under 13 seems almost commonplace"
ahhh yes the epo wave was cresting.
"this man is so unique ... i never thought that i would see 1244 in my lifetime ... no one will ever get close to that record for a long, long, long time"
boy was he wrong.
Wow, great link. I don't think he would have done it that day without Maree...
Only Daniel Komen could get near that time for quite a while after. Still an incredible run. Amazing what can be achieved when a nation of great natural ability (for distance running) gets some stability and some regular international competition.
I think the breakthrough that spawned the rash of records was when Yobes Ondieki ran 26:58 for 10k. A few people had near misses at the record but nobody looked like they could run under 27:00. Chelimo finally broke the WR, held it for about a week, then Yobes ran under 27 after years of being a 5k specialist and being close but not quite under 13.
After that, the 10k ratcheted down by about 10 seconds a couple times before Haile took over. It seems like the sub 27 barrier was a significant one and once people started cracking it the success spilled down to the 5k.
Or it could just have been EPO??? Who knows...
Ondieki's time was a good one, but it was long overdue (with little movement in the record during the '80's). Sigei's 26:52 in '94 was even better, but Haile's 26:43 in '95 was the first performance that many didn't believe was possible. I think that some people underestimate the competition factor. In this case I am talking about Gebrselassie's rivals (though they couldn't defeat him on the track). From 1995 to 1999 Haile could do virtually what he wanted. As long as he held the world records, he was satisfied. If Hissou hadn't run 26:38 in Brussels '96, Haile probably wouldn't have run 26:31 the following year, which in turn gave Tergat the imputus to run 26:27 in Brussels '97. The world record could easily have stayed at 26:43 until Kenenisa came along. I also think that Haile could have gone faster then 26:22. In 1999 he was still at his dominating peak but he had the records so made no attempts. His 5,000 m PR is about right but 26:15 was a possibility for him at 10,000 m.
It could have been EPO, but I think it's unlikely concerning Geb.
you think it's unlikely concerning geb? what does that mean? just because he is nice and he is charismatic means that jos doesn't have him doped up? come on, man.
Nowadays they have EPO tests and this year Geb ran sub-27 after not having run a track race in 3 years and with almost no track training.
Jos was Suzy Favor´s manager too. Did he have her doped up, too?
Good point - When you have Bekele turning out times like he is now with drug testing, maybe those time were possible without drugs, but I hate to say it but I suspect they may have just found a way of beating the EPO test or have found another drug which enhances performance.
EPO test wrote:
Jos was Suzy Favor�s manager too. Did he have her doped up, too?
This actually isn't an outlandish suggestion at all. Many in the sport rightfully suspect SFH.
Testing123 wrote:
Good point - When you have Bekele turning out times like he is now with drug testing, maybe those time were possible without drugs, but I hate to say it but I suspect they may have just found a way of beating the EPO test or have found another drug which enhances performance.
The first part of this statement assumes that current drug testing (what they can test for and how they implement the testing) would dissuade someone like KB from indulging. EPO is so 1990's. At least you acknowledge the elephant in the room in the second half of the statement.
Why does everyone assume that HG and KB must be on EPO to be so dominant?
If their times seem shockingly fast, it is because they are GENETICALLY SUPERIOR to you and me. In simple terms, this is their "drug": at the anatomical level they are built to execute far better mechanics, and at the physiological level they have much better uptake, delivery and use of oxygen. And this is all before they start utterly incredible training, which they are gifted in their ability to withstand largely without injury. When you look at the depth in Ethiopia, I don't know how hard it is to accept that certain populations are just much better made to run long distances at high speeds than western Europeans.
I'll probably never go under 14:30 for 5k, but I don't accuse everyone faster than me of doping. They may work a little harder and/or smarter, and are probably a LOT more naturally talented. I don't see how hard it is to accept and admire times like KB's.
Hmm, so you've come up with a way of measuring "genetic superiority"? How, exactly, do you determine the gap between yourself and someone like HG or KB? Or are you just voicing a perception that allows you to continue believing steadfastly that they couldn't possibly be doping?
Do go on....
found a few more Aouita videos someone has posted
DN Galan 1986 men's 5000m
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENxI5fbU-9k
1988 Olympics 800m QF and semi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vLGygRNlQQ
1988 Olympics 800m final
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXu6VN_R6q0
World Games (Helsinki) 1987 men's 1 mile - his fastest mile, just missing Cram's WR