MonteCarloWith the start of the ÅF Golden League only six days away we begin our Jackpot Event Previews with a summary of who to look out for in the men’s 3000/5000m which is one of the ten events applicable for the $1 Million ÅF Golden League Jackpot in 2009.
NOTE: As with all competitions there are likely to be changes to the start list in the final days before this year’s ÅF Golden League commences at the DKB-ISTAF Berlin meeting on Sunday 14 June, and therefore these event category previews are correct as of information available at the time of publication.
Men’s 3000/5000m
When the gun sounds the start of the men’s 5000m at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday afternoon (14), the focus of the athletics world will fall clearly on World record holder and 2008 Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele as the Ethiopian once again embarks on the ÅF Golden League Jackpot chase. Since his rise to international stardom in 2003, it’s become customary for Bekele to line up with a target on his back. It’ll be no different on Sunday afternoon, the day after Bekele celebrates his 27th birthday.
But Bekele arrives in the German capital as a somewhat unknown quantity, at least as far as 2009 is concerned. Injury sidelined him from the indoor season, and in his outdoor debut at the FBK Games in Hengelo a week ago, he dropped out of the 1500m about midway through, citing a slight pain in his left thigh. His last race was in November, when he finished third at the Seven Hills 15Km in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
But his credentials certainly speak for themselves. He’s amassed 14 World titles and three Olympic golds, and has been the fastest in the world over 5000m every year since 2004. Bekele brings an 11 race win streak in the event to Berlin, one which dates back to July of 2006.
In fact he lost twice over the distance that year, the first time at the Golden League opener in Oslo to Isaac Songok who powerfully and unceremoniously kicked away from the Ethiopian to a commanding three second victory. The Kenyan, who robbed Bekele of a perfect six-for-six 2006 Golden League season, is in the Berlin field on Sunday, making his first appearance of the year. The 25-year-old has a 12:48.66 from 2006, after Bekele, the fastest in the field.
A stronger challenge is expected from Songok’s compatriot Micah Kogo, the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist in the 10,000m. Kogo, who turned 23 on 3 June, has already impressed in 2009, setting a World record in the 10Km on the roads with his sterling 27:01 performance in Brunsson, the Netherlands, in March. He showed his mettle in his track debut as well, kicking away from World champion Bernard Lagat in the New York 5000m nine days ago in 13:02.90.
Edwin Soi will also play a pivotal part of the Kenyan challenge. The Olympic bronze medallist in the 5000m, Soi was third in the fast Doha 3000m last month, fourth in the Hengelo 5000m, and boasts a 12:52.40 PB from 2006.
Also expected to be a factor is Moses Masai, the fourth place finish in the Olympic 10,000m, who returns to Berlin to defend his ISTAF title. A year ago he clocked his career best 12:50.55 on the Olympic Stadium track.
Bekele’s compatriot Abreham Cherkos could also be a force to be reckoned with. He was fifth in the Olympic final, has three career sub-13s to his credit, and is still just 19.
Six others in the formidable field – Uganda’s Moses Kipsiro, James Kwalia of Qatar, Kenyans Thomas Longosiwa and Jonas Cheruiyot, Ethiopian Abebe Dinkessa and Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese – have sub-13-minute credentials.
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There are TEN ÅF Golden League event disciplines designated to the Jackpot in 2009, five events for men and five for women, as follows:
Men: 100m, 400m, 3000m/5000m, 110m Hurdles, Javelin Throw.
Women: 100m, 400m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault.
Athletics’ biggest yearly payday - ÅF Golden League Jackpot
The prize - $1 Million
The requirement - ‘6 out of 6’
The annual drama that is the season long campaign to claim the $1 Million Jackpot offered by the ÅF Golden League continues in 2009 with its ‘winner takes all’ ethos. Athletes are required to win at all six meetings in the series to acquire at least a share of athletics’ biggest yearly payday.
The possibility of a secondary prize also exists:
To sustain the active participation in the Jackpot of as many athletes as possible through to the culmination of the series, should NO athlete manage to attain six wins and claim the $1 Million, then anyone with five victories will share half the original prize - $500,000. NOTE. this secondary prize is only on offer should nobody win his or her event at all six meetings.
Cities and Dates for 2009 -
Berlin, GER – Sunday 14 June
Oslo, NOR – Friday 3 July
Rome, ITA – Friday 10 July
Paris, FRA – Friday 17 July
Zürich, SUI – Friday 28 August
Brussels, BEL – Friday 4 September
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
