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News20 Sep 2000


Wami to attempt 5,000-10,000 double

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Wami to attempt 5,00010,000 double
Reuters

21 September 2000 - World women's 10,000 metres champion Gete Wami of Ethiopia, bronze medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, will also run in the 5,000 metres at the Sydney Games.

"She can run both well," her manager Jos Hermens said on Thursday. "She certainly has a chance for two medals."

Wami was chosen for the double by her national federation after she ran 14 minutes 30.88 seconds to come within three seconds of the world 5,000-metre record held by China's Jiang Bo last month.

She is the favourite in the 10,000 metres and heads a strong Ethiopian team including 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medallist Derartu Tulu and the holder of the fastest time this year, Berhane Adere.

In the 5,000 metres, Wami faces face World Champion Gabriela Szabo of Romania, who was undefeated over the distance last year.

This year Szabo was closely challenged over shorter distances and lost her only 5,000 metres race of the season to Kenyan Leah Malot, who is not competing in Sydney.

The Olympic 5,000 metres field includes Wami's team mate Ayelech Worku, who took bronze at the 1999 world championships.

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