Kenenisa Bekele at the Weltklasse Zürich,
ÅF Golden League press conference on
Thu 28 Aug 2008 [Photo:Chris Turner]
(IAAF) Zürich, Switzerland – In Beijing last week, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele achieved a feat that even his great compatriot Haile Gebrselassie was unable to match in his illustrious track career. Joining Hannes Kolehmainen (FIN), Emil Zatopek (CZE), Vladimir Kuts (URS), Lasse Viren (FIN) and Miruts Yifter (ETH), Bekele is now one of only six men to win the 5000m and 10,000m double at the Olympic Games since those metric distances were introduced to the Olympic programme in 1912.
But Bekele’s historic achievement in China, as that of his female compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba over the same distances which was unique in women’s Olympic distance running history, was largely overlooked by the world because of one man, Jamaican Usain Bolt, whose phenomenal sprint successes transcended Athletics to make him the overall star of Beijing 2008, along with swimmer Michael Phelps.
Bekele, the World record holder for 5000 and 10,000m, was at a press conference in Zürich this afternoon ahead of tomorrow night’s Weltklasse Zürich, ÅF Golden League meeting (Fri 29) where he’ll run the 5000m. Was he upset that the 22-year-old Jamaican had upstaged the rest of the athletics programme which had produced so many other outstanding results including his own?
“No, I’m not upset (that Bolt’s success took all the headlines).”
“We cannot compare Bolt with myself. Sprinting and distance running, it is not possible to compare.”
“Bolt is very strong, very special,” said Bekele. “To break two World records (three with the sprint relay) in an Olympic Games is very special.”
The phrase ‘very special’ was constantly on Bekele’s lips this afternoon, and is how he also summed up his own Olympic double. The magnitude of his successes left him searching for an adequate description, and eventually to concede – “there are no words to describe how I feel…what can I say, its so very special for me.”
A very famous place to race
After a total of three races and Olympic records in both the 5000m (12:57.82) and 10,000m (27:01.17) finals, Bekele could be excused for wanting to take a holiday before competing again.
It’s been a busy few days of travel since his 5000m victory on Saturday (23). With the rest of the Ethiopian team Bekele has already made the trip back home to receive the expected rapturous welcome in the capital Addis Ababa.
“People at home expect success, they are waiting to celebrate after each Games. Yes, there were a million or more on the streets to welcome us, and the Prime Minister and President were there to greet us.”
Zürich Meeting Director Patrick Magyar revealed today that it took a great effort to persuade the Ethiopian Federation to let Bekele leave Addis Ababa early during the celebrations so that he could compete here on Friday.
“IAAF President Lamine Diack greatly supported us on this and convinced the Federation to allow Kenenisa to compete in Zürich,” confirmed Magyar.
But the matter was always clear in Bekele’s mind at least.
“Yes, I always intended to run in Zürich,” said the three-time World and two-time Olympic 10,000m champion. “It is a good place, with good organisation, a very famous place to race.”
I just come here to win
But what of his hopes for Friday’s race?
“I’m a little tired, as it is very close to the Olympic Games. I can’t push for a World record anymore (this season).”
“So I don’t talk of records for this race. After my successes in Beijing, I just come here to win.”
Many more years on the track
What of the longer term future, and following Haile Gebrselassie to the marathon?
“The Marathon? It’s too early for me to think of this yet. I still have time to run many more 5000 and 10,000m races, with faster times and breaking records. I want to keep running these distances at World Championships and Olympic Games for many more years,” confirmed Bekele.
It’s a statement which should concern anyone with Olympic aspirations in 2012, and as Bekele only turned 26-years-old in June, perhaps even in 2016!