News02 Feb 2016


Aregawi to take on Dibaba in Stockholm world indoor record attempt

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Abeba Aregawi in action in the 1500m in Stockholm (© DECA Text & Bild)

It was first revealed late last year that IAAF world athlete of the year Genzebe Dibaba would try to break the world indoor mile record at the Globen Galan meeting in Stockholm. But Swedish star Abeba Aregawi has now been added to the field at the IAAF World Indoor Tour meeting on 17 February.

Aregawi succeeded Dibaba as the world indoor champion over 1500m. But last year, Dibaba succeeded Aregawi as the world champion outdoors over the distance. The two athletes also occupy the first two spots on the world indoor all-time list for 1500m.

While Dibaba is the world record-holder indoors and outdoors for the metric mile, Aregawi leads Dibaba in career head-to-heads, 5-3. But this will be their first indoor clash.

Aregawi’s winter training in Ethiopia has gone so well that she was keen to join Dibaba in her attempt to beat the world indoor mile record of 4:17.14, set 26 years ago by Romania’s Doina Melinte.

The Swedish record of 4:32.49 is definitely within reach for Aregawi, as she was almost 10 seconds faster than that at the IAAF Diamond League final in Brussels last year.

World indoor silver medallist Axumawit Embaye is also in the field, along with world junior silver medallist Gudaf Tsegay and World Championships 800m and 1500m finalist Rababe Arafi.

Organisers for the IAAF

2016 IAAF World Indoor Tour calendar
6 February – Karlsruhe Indoor Meeting (Karlsruhe, GER)
14 February – New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (Boston, USA)
17 February – Globen Galan (Stockholm, SWE)
20 February – Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix (Glasgow, GBR)

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