Tirunesh Dibaba in the 5000m in New York (© Victah Sailer)
In 2003, Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba became the youngest ever world champion after her stunning 14:51.72 upset victory in Paris. After clocking the two fastest performances of the season, paced by her solo 14:32.42 win at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City in early June, Dibaba returns to defend her title not only as a solid favorite, but as one of the finest over-all distance runners in the world.
This year's double winner at the World Cross Country Championships, Dibaba has lost just one race this season, and emerged victorious from the year's deepest race with her 14:32.57 victory at Rome's Golden Gala. The one variable - an important one - is how she will manage to bounce back from Saturday evening's 10,000m final. In late June, Dibaba underscored her fitness with a 30:15.67 effort at the Folksam Grand Prix fixture in Sollentuna, Norway, the ninth fastest performance ever.
Dibaba' stiffest competitiong should come from her compatriots Meseret Defar and Werknesh Kidane, whose recent display of form makes the first-ever national podium sweep a real possibility. Defar, who beat Dibaba to the Olympic gold over the distance last summer, lowered her personal best to 14:32.90 at the Golden Gala. Kidane, who is also doubling in Helsinki, has displayed strong range as well. Also a double medallist at the World cross country championships, Kidane has a PB 8:36.39 to her credit this summer, and has run under 30:20 in the 10,000m.
The strongest challenge to perceived Ethiopian dominance will come from Kenya, led by Olympic silver medallist Isabella Ochichi. The 25-year-old has won three of her four races over the distance this summer, topped by her win 14:50.96 win in Hengelo. Teammate Prisca Jepleting has won three of her four races at 3000 this year, and has a 15:04.10 season's best from her runner-up finish to Berhane Adere in Ostrava.
British veteran Jo Pavey (14:40.71) is the seventh fastest of the year, but has also logged solid performances in the 3000, most recently with a season's best 8:33.79 third place finish in Oslo, and an 8:34.66 performance, also good for third, in Paris.
Spain's Marta Dominguez, a two-time defending silver medallist, returns as well, but this time as an unknown factor. Sidelined for the entire 2004 season with injury, Dominguez has raced just three times since, reaching 9:05.56 and 14:54.98 season's bests.
Helsinki 2005 media team
