Source: Xinhua
08-18-2008 09:12
Special Report: 2008 Beijing Olympic GamesBEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele retained his Olympic title in the African-dominated men's 10,000 meters race at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.
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| Defending champion Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele retained his Olympic title in the African-dominated men's 10,000 meters race at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.(Xinhua/Liao Yujie) |
Bekele, the reigning world record holder, clocked 27 minutes and 1.17 seconds to refresh the Olympic record created by himself at the Athens Games four years ago.
The 26-year-old distance runner has become the sixth who has won back-to-back Olympic titles in the men's longest track race with a best result of 26:25.97 this season.
As also a three-time world champion in the event, Bekele has been one of the favorites including his countryman former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie who has run 26:51.20 this year.
"It is very special to defend my Olympic title and the medal is a big gift to me and my country." said Bekele. " It was a fantastic race, not too fast not too slow, although the second half was very tough, no one can really trouble me."
"For the moment I don't have a plan for four years long to the next Olympic Games. But I will continue to make history for myself and my country and I will not give up running since it is a gifted talent, it is my job." He added.
Bekele's countryman Sileshi Sihine won the silver medal by running 27 minutes and 2.77 seconds. Sihine outpaced Kenya's Micah Kogo at the last lap who won the bronze medal.
"I am so happy to see that we have won 1-2 in the race and I am also happy to win the silver medal." Sihine said.
