News23 Jul 2010


Defar to chase World record at 5000m in Stockholm - Samsung Diamond League

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Meseret Defar in her 10,000m debut in Stockholm (© Hasse Sjögren)

The 1912 Olympic stadium knows a thing or two about World records and best performances, during its history it has witnessed a total of 83 in the sport of track and field athletics.

Running is a part of the Stadium’s soul and visiting athletes have always appreciated the great atmosphere and the knowledgeable spectators, and so it comes as no surprise that Meseret Defar of Ethiopia, the 2004 Olympic and 2007 World 5000m champion has chosen Stockholm for her attack at the 5000m World record on 6 August at the DN Galan – Samsung Diamond League meeting.

The women’s 5000m n Stockholm, is not applicable for Diamond Race points, and is a late addition to the programme, but will certainly be one of the highlights of the meeting.

“We have great expectations and hope that Defar’s World record attempt will create a magical atmosphere. There are a lot of Ethiopians in Sweden and we hope they will come to DN Galan in support of their heroine,” commented meeting director Rajne Söderberg.

Defar, who in 2008 missed the record in a fantastic race, already holds the Stadium records at 3000m (8:24.66; 2006), 5000m (14:12.88; 2008) and 10,000m (31:07.34; 2009). Stockholm Olympic Stadium and Defar is obviously a “happy marriage.”

Defar has been no stranger to the 5000m World record having set the outdoor mark two times in the past - 14:16.63 (Oslo 15 June, 2007) and 14:24.53 (New York, 3 June 2006).

The existing World record at 5000m is 14:11.15 by Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia.

Samsung Diamond League

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