News23 Jul 2004


Tulu is back in Olympic contention

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DerartuTulu of Ethiopia in Brussels (© Getty Images)

Reigning Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu, who also took the Games title in 1992, has been added to the women's 10,000m squad for next month's Athens Olympics, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation has confirmed.

Tulu, who had been omitted from a list of 25 Athletes issued by the Federation last week, is now in line to make her fourth appearance at the Games and has a fighting chance to become the first African to win three Olympic Gold medals.

The 32-year old is given a starting role in the 10,000m team alongside World 10,000m champion Berhane Adere and silver medallist Werknesh Kidane, with Ejigayehou Dibaba dropping down to the reserve spot. 

Tulu who is also a former World 10,000m champion, recorded a good time of 30:51.07 recently in Barakaldo, Spain, but E. Dibaba has a better qualification time of 30:43.01 for the 10,000m.

However, according Dr. Woldemeskel Kostre, head coach of the 5000 and 10,000m teams, Tulu got the nod in order to maximize the possibility of medals for the country.

"Ejiageyhou (Dibaba) has a chance at both distances because she has among the best times in the country," he said. And Kostre reaffirmed his belief that Tulu can surprise many in Athens. "She is a remarkable Athlete and keeps fighting back after all the setbacks she has had."

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