Saidi-Sief
goes a step further
Pat Butcher for the
IAAF
5 August 2001 – Edmonton - In a surprise turnaround Ali Saïdi-Sief has elected
to run the 5000 metres rather than the 1500 metres, which has been his stated
intention all season.
The decision will add even more intrigue to an event which looks as open as last year's Olympic race, when the young Algerian was the favourite of many, but was beaten by a sub-54sec last lap by the even younger Ethiopian, 21 year old Million Wolde. Saïdi-Sief had to make do with silver, and seemingly decided to leave 5000 metres running for the time being, and return to the 1500.
But, according to Amar Bouras, the Algerian coach who guided Hassiba Boulmerka to two World Championship 1500 metres titles, in 1991 and 1995, as well as the Olympic gold in 1992, Saïdi-Sief has wanted to keep his potential rivals in the dark about his real intentions, which is why the news has only crept out at the last moment, with the heats of the 5000 metres being onMonday, Day Four of competition in Edmonton.
Although Saïdi-Sief in unbeaten this season at 1500 metres, and has run the second fastest time in history for 2000 metres, the longer distance may be the better option, if only for the presence in the 1500 metres of Hicham El Guerrouj, fully restored after his shock defeat in the Olympic 1500 metres by Noah Ngeny of Kenya. The Moroccan returned to his more usual imperious form with a runaway victory in the world indoor championships 3000 metres in Lisbon in March, and he too has been undefeated at 1500 metres, his pre- Edmonton campaign culminating with a satisfying victory over his Sydney tormentor Ngeny at the London Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Bouras maintains that Saïdi-Sief's defeat in Sydney was down to two reasons. "Firstly injury, secondly inexperience," says Bouras, who comes from the same village near Constantine (Boulmerka's birthplace) as Saïdi-Sief.
"20 days before Sydney, we did not think he could run, he had muscular problems around the ankle. So he wasn't able to train seriously for the last month. Then I think he made a mistake in wanting to stay ahead of the field, at such a slow pace. I always tell my runners to be behind at the decisive moment, they have the initiative, and the element of surprise. I think if he had been in second or third place at the bell, he would have won".
But he didn't, and now has an outstanding opportunity to win the world title at the same distance. He will face his Sydney conqueror, Wolde, who has not shown winning form this season, and Wolde's colleague, Hailu Mekonnen, who has - he beat the Kenyans in the Rome Golden League, in the world's fastest time so far, 12min 58.57sec. That is an intriguing time, given that we have seen marks as low as sub 12.40 in recent years. It is tempting to think that the IAAF initiatives to attack potential use of erythropoietin (EPO) has had an effect on the men's middle distance events, if not the women's.
The Moroccans have not been in great form or evidence this season, so the likelihood is that Saïdi-Sief will find himself alone against the sub-Saharan East Africans. With credentials like his, that should not worry him.
One of the few Europeans to have any chance of making the final, let alone think about winning a medal, Mark Carroll of Ireland has an interesting perspective on the race. And who better than a competitor to give us an appraisal of the field. Carroll, who would have to be thinking in terms of his Irish record 13.03.93 form to be in contention (not withstanding the effect of Edmonton's 700 metres altitude), says, "There are going to be three very good Kenyans, but to my mind, the three Ethiopians are probably the biggest danger. They haven't raced since Rome, they went away to train and there's no doubt in my mind that those three guys will be ready. As for Saïdi, he ran very well at 3000 and 5000 last year, but in the Olympic final he looked average. Also, he hasn't run a 5000 metres so far".
Of course, Saïdi-Sief has looked anything but 'average' this year, and the heats will serve to run him in, so to speak. As for the Kenyans, on the evidence of times, Richard Limo, Sammy Kipketer and John Kibowen are not their nation's best. But they did what they had to do to get selected, that is they placed top three at the Trials. In the absence of outstanding individuals, being paced towards world records, we have had some tremendous competition in the Golden League and Grand Prix this season. The World Championships 5000 metres is likely to be even better.
