Source: Xinhua

08-16-2008 07:28

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia celebrates with a national flag after  the final of women's 10000 meters at the National Stadium, also known  as the Bird's Nest, at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,  China, Aug. 15, 2008. Tirunesh Dibaba claimed the title with 29 mins  54.66 secs. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Tirunesh Dibaba won Ethiopia the first gold medal on Friday evening at the Beijing Olympics, creating a new Olympic record in 29 minutes and 54.66 seconds in the women's 10,000 meters race.

Dibaba, two-time world champion in the race, remained in the leading group in most laps and overtook Ethiopia-born Turkish runner Elvan Abeylegesse, who got the silver by clocking 29:56.34, about 300 meters to the finish line.

Shalane Flanagan of the United States won the bronze in 30:22.22.

Dibaba said, "It is not enough to get only world championships titles, and it is so cool to win the Olympic gold in Beijing."

She said, "It was a terrible race, and the time was very fast, but thanks God, I did it. I was expecting something from the race and I got it. It was really very tough, but I am not afraid of any race."