Ethiopian Bekele star attraction in Diamond League

(April 02, 2012, Gulf Times)--Kenenisa Bekele, the Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world and Olympic records in both the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, will be one of the star attractions at the 2012 Samsung Diamond League to be held on May 11 in Doha. However, Bekele, the reigning Olympic champion in both events, will not be competing over his pet distances but will participate in the 3,000 m which is a non-Diamond League event.

“Bekele has confirmed his availability and that would certainly draw a lot of crowd. There is plenty of Ethiopian population here in Qatar and we are confident they will come in large numbers to root for their star,” said Abdulla al-Zaini, Managing Director, QAAF. However, the QAAF said, this being the Olympic year, they had to work hard to get top athletes to Qatar.

“The Jamaican International Invitational event is happening just a week before this event and the US trials will also be held simultaneously. However, we are still hopeful of getting a few top athletes in. Around seven to eight Jamaican athletes have expressed interest but we are still awaiting final confirmation,” said QAAF consultant Sandro Giovanelli. 

Vivian Cheruiyot, Genzebe Dibaba and Pamela Jelimo are the other top athletes whose names were also announced at yesterday’s press conference. Kenyan Cheruiyot, is the reigning World 5,000m and 10,000m champion following a stellar 2011 season in which she also became World Cross Country champion. 

Ethiopian Dibaba, after her junior career World Championship victories on the track and cross country, took her first senior World title over 1,500m at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul last month to cap a superb indoor season. Jelimo (KEN), the 2008 Olympic 800m champion, signalled a full comeback from injury this past indoor season which also culminated with her triumph in Istanbul.

Despite the US trials, QAAF are confident of roping in 2004 Athens Olympics 100m gold medallist Justin Gatlin.  “We are in talks with Gatlin and the signs are positive. Hopefully, we can see him compete here. However, still these are early stages and we have to wait and watch,” said Giovanelli.

Gatlin’s fear of fading into obscurity disappeared when he blazed to gold in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul last month. This was Gatlin’s first gold medal since serving a four-year doping suspension. 

Also confirmed were Sudan’s two-time World Indoor 800m champion Abubaker Kaki who was a silver medallist last year in Doha.  he will battle against Kenyan Alfred Kirwa Yego, the 2007 World champion and Moroccan record-holder Amine Laalou. In the women’s 800m, 22-year-old Indian record holder (1:59.17) and Daegu semi-finalist Tintu Luca will take on Jelimo. 

Source:  Gulf Times

Home