At a distance - Ethiopia looks to the future

Paris, France, and Addis Ababa, EthiopiaThere is an air of optimism in the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EFF) that the country might be on its way to something “big” in Paris, but no one is celebrating yet.

Our reporters Bob Ramsak in Paris and Elshadai Negash in Addis Ababa, bring us the latest information about Ethiopia’s distance running challenge at the 9th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Paris 2003 Saint- Denis (23-31 August 2003).

Gebrselassie and Bekele

"Cautious optimism" seems to be the operative term on the eve of the ninth World Championships.

With just two days left before his attempt to win his fifth World Championship in the 10,000m, Haile Gebrselassie was characteristically confident but unabashedly diplomatic.

"It's always very tough," the Ethiopian said, whose fifth title over the distance eluded him in Edmonton where he finished third. "All the stars will be here. It's very difficult to say who will win this race, or who will run what tactic. The only thing I can say now is that we as a team, we Ethiopians, we prepared well."

His 21 year-old teammate, Kenenisa Bekele, seemed to echo his mentor's comments, and not only because Gebreselassie served as his translator.

"We are all here because we are all prepared to win," said Bekele, who defeated Gebrselassie in June in their only meeting over the distance.

The two-time double World Cross Country champion added that competing in Paris, his first track competition under a bright global spotlight, is not much different that his cross country championships experience.

"A competition is a competition," Bekele said. "There really is no major difference between cross country and track. This is course my first experience, but I don't see any difference."

For the first time in the 20-year history of the championships, Ethiopia could well be hunting for a top-five place on the medals table. And for once, Ethiopia does not have to bank on its experienced and seasoned runners for success. Instead, the Federation is looking to its latest crop of youngsters to do the job.

Fourteen of Ethiopia’s team of thirteen Athletes will be making their debut at a major championship event and ten of them are 22 years of age or under. National team Head coach Dr. Woldemeskel Kostre says that they are all part of the Federation’s four-year action plan. “We have put in a place a four-year plan between each Olympic Games so that we get the maximum out of the Athletes we have,” he says.

Endalk Kelemwork is even more optimistic. “We believe it is time for the young Athletes to take responsibility,” he said. “They are ready and raring to go.”

Lining up alongside the Ethiopian royal duo of Gebrselassie and Bekele will be 21-year old Sileshi Sihin, who is the current Ethiopian 5000 and 10,000m. Sihin broke Ethiopian records at both distances in this year’s National Championships and beating Bekele in a thrilling race in Addis Ababa. A string of inconsistent performances in the Golden League and Grand Prix will have dented his confidence, but he is fit and back again to cause a surprise.

In the 5000m, the Ethiopia’s credentials will come to the test in the form of a world-class field that will now include three-time world 1500m champion Hicham El-Guerrouj and Kenyan sensation Abraham Chebii. If Bekele decides to take part in the race, it will be another major addition to the impressive roaster, but the country expects to do well with the talents of 20-year old world cross country championships long course Bronze medallist Gebregziabher Gebremariam, Abiyote Abate, and former world 3000m Indoor record holder Haylu Mekonnen.

Adere, Tulu and Kidane head women’s challenge

Like the men’s category, Ethiopia will combine youth and experiences when its women take on the best in Paris. Their challenge will be led by World Indoor 3000m champion and record holder Berhane Adere. The 30-year old has four appearances at the worlds, but only opened her eyes to success when she finished second behind compatriot Derartu Tulu in Edmonton two years ago. Now, she will start as the favourite to take the 10,000m and is one of the world’s in-form runners at the 5000m as well.

Werkenesh Kidane has been another solid performer again this season with a world leading time of 30:41.40 in the 10,000m. The 21-year old also made her big break through in 2003 winning the women’s World long course cross country title in Lausanne but was denied a double by Kenyan veteran Edith Masai as she finished second in the shorter race. Kidane failed to qualify for the finals in the 5000m and believes that now is the time to make her mark on the track. 

Then there is the Dibaba double act also aiming to hit the jackpot in Paris. Tirunesh and Ejigayehou Dibaba will become the first Ethiopian sisters to take part at the same world championships and they hope that their presence is not just to make up the numbers.

Tirunesh, still only 18 and the younger of the two, goes into the 5000m having won the women’s junior title in Lausanne and holds the world Junior record at the distance both Indoors and outdoors. And big sister Ejigayehou, who is two years older and has been running for the last three years internationally, completes Ethiopia’s line-up in the 10,000m and will line up alongside her cousin and world and Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu, who hopes to overturn a season marred by injuries, illness, and personal problems.

But Ethiopia’s most exciting prospect in the 5000m is Meseret Defar. The 19-year old caused a stir in Kingston, Jamaica last year when she took both the 3000m and 5000m titles. And she has shown signs that she can repeat these successes at Senior level winning the 5000m at the IAAF Golden Meeting in Rome in July. Defar has shown that she has one of the most lethal finishing kicks in the world this year, but she needs to keep in touch of the leading pack until a lap to go in the race.

Marathon

In the Marathon, all eyes will once again be on reigning World Champion Gezhagne Abera as he bids to defend his title, but there are other exciting prospects to watch as well. Anbesse Tolosa, Teferri Wedajo, and Moges Taye have been doing 30 miles a day for the last forty days in Addis Ababa and nearby cities and hope to turn a rigorous training schedule to medals in Paris. In the men’s Marathon, Abera’s wife Elfnesh Alemu is the country’s best hope for a medal and it will be interesting to see whether marriage to the “King of the Marathon” would stir her to the country’s first medal in the 42 km and 195 meter race.

Hunting on unfamiliar ground
 
While Ethiopia hopes to collect medals in the 5000, 10,000 and the Marathon, they will take part in the 3000m Steeplechase for only the second time in the history of the world championships. Ethiopia’s debut at the distance came to a premature end in Edmonton when Maru Daba failed to even qualify for the semifinals. But this time, the EFF is more optimistic about their chances.

“We are ready to challenge the Kenyans for medals,” said Endalk Kelemwork. “The 3000m Steeplechase was always our distance, but we did not pay attention and prepared properly.”

Kenyan’s overwhelming domination at the distance could come under serious challenge in the form of Qatari Athlete and world leader Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Stephen Cherono). But Kelemwork believes it is also Ethiopia’s time to step up to the big stage.

Ethiopia’s hopes will lie on National champion Leulseged Walle, Tewodros Shiferaw, and Maru Daba, who will be making his second appearance at the championships. Although challenging the likes of Saif Saaeed Shaheen and the Kenyan Athletes at the highest echelons in the Sport might be a dream too far at this stage, the Ethiopians will keep their dreams alive until they are given a reality check tomorrow when the heats get underway.

Berhanu Alemu will also be making his and Ethiopia’s debut in the 800m, but the coaches are more realistic about his chances. “It means a great deal for the country that we have an Athlete running at this distance,” said Kelemwork. “I am hope that he can fare well in Paris.”

And to complete Ethiopia’s roster of the championships 1999 Seville Games Bronze medallist Kutre Dulecha will represent Ethiopia in the 1500m along with 16-year old Meskerem Legesse, who will also run the 800m.