Report12 Mar 2010


EVENT REPORT - MEN's 1500 Metres Final

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Deresse Mekonnen of Ethiopia on his way to winning gold in the 1500m final (© Getty Images)

Deresse Mekonnen became the fourth athlete to defend his World Indoor title here in Doha and most notably the second Ethiopian champion of the day following Meseret Defar’s win in the women’s 3000m much to the delight of the numerous Ethiopian fans whose vociferous chants have characterised the second day of competition.

It took Mekonnen all his energy to respond to the constant changes of pace mainly coming from his African counterparts. Former World Junior champion Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco was never far off the front seat taking a packed nine-man field through the first 400m in 1:03.98. At that point the pack was pretty much all compact with USA’s Garrett Heath who scraped into today’s final, Mekonnen and compatriot Mekonnen Gebremedhin closest to the front.

Olympic 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France was also striving to stay among the leading pack and although he never actually made it to the front he did remain within reach of the African runners.

With five laps to go, 2008 African champion Haron Keitany had clearly decided it was about time someone shook this final up and with a swift 30-sec lap that is just what he did. However his move was not to be decisive as Mekonnen gradually closed the gap. He waited until three-and-a-half laps to go to move to the front taking in his wake Iguider, South Africa’s Juan van Deventer, the tallest man in the field, Gebremedhin and Mekhissi-Benabbad in this order.

At that point, the Moroccan record holder Amine Laalou was still trailing in final position and as it turned out it was his move which would determine the medals.

As the pack approached the bell, both Moroccans reached for the front with Laalou slightly ahead of Iguider. The two Ethiopians followed in closely with van Deventer trying to find an open door inside and Keitany forced back to the outside.

Mekonnen was visibly the man with the fastest finish but with both Moroccans ahead of him he struggled to find his way, eventually choosing to move from the outside coming off the final bend. Laalou started to fade and in a desperate move for more space moved slightly towards the inside, a decision which involuntarily blocked Iguider who, had he not been blocked by his own compatriot, looked as though he could have made it for gold.

Eventually, Mekonnen held on to become the first man since Hicham El Guerrouj to defend the World Indoor 1500m title in 3:41.36 with a mere tenth of a second to spare over a disappointed Iguider who was aiming at emulating the legendary World record holder.

Laalou not only lost the race for gold but he literally lost the race for any medal as he was left battling against fatigue while others sprinted their lives to the finish. Keitany was rewarded for his brave efforts and although he came into the final straight back in fifth he managed to grab bronze in 3:42.32.

Gebremedhin was given fourth ahead of Laalou both at 3:42.42 as van Deventer completed the African sweep at the top.

“That was challenging from the Moroccans, very tough last two laps,” said Mekonnen. “But I managed to defend my title and that was my goal. I got great support from the crowd, thanks for that.”

Iguider found it hard to accept defeat. “It was a bit difficult. I feel I deserved the first place, but the Kenyan and Ethiopians managed to control the race the way they wanted. It's been a long time that Morocco didn't win a medal, I hope that the Moroccan people will be happy even though it's only the silver. I promise them I'll do my best to get the gold in Daegu in 2011.”

Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF

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