Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana Wins 10,000 Meters Race and Sets World Record in Rio
Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana has set a new 10,000 meters world record to claim the first gold medal for Africa at the ongoing Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
On Friday, the 24-year-old long distance runner won the 10,000-meter race in 29 minutes and 17.45 seconds. Her outstanding victory crushed the previous 23-year-old record by 14.46 seconds.
China’s Wang Junxia set the previous record with a time of 29 minutes and 31.78 seconds in Germany in 1993, AP reported.
Kenya’s runner Vivian Cheruiyot finished 15 seconds behind Ayana to win the silver medal. Ethiopia’s 10,000 meters defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba came third with a time of 29 minutes and 42.56 seconds.
Ayana, who also set a world record in June for the fastest 10,000-meter debut race, said every victory was “a dream come true.”
“I never thought that this would happen, and I’m so in awe. I’m very happy to get here,” Ayana said.
“My doping is my training. My doping is Jesus. Otherwise, I’m crystal clear,” she responded to a question about the recent doping scandals facing Ethiopian athletes.