World record holder and Olympic champion, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, retained his world 10,000m title tonight by shadowing every move of his rivals from Kenya and Morocco and striking decisively 550m from home. He won his third straight World Championship 10,000m gold medal in 27:24.58.
Paul Tergat of Kenya and Salah Hissou of Morocco ran their best times for 1997, 27:25.62 and 27:28.67, in second and third place respectively.
The race began slowly, the lead alternating between Said Beriou of Morocco and the Kenyans Dominic Kirui and Paul Koech. They passed 1000m at a pedestrian 2:55.76 and 2000m in 5:39.99. Hissou took the lead briefly at 4000m (11:11.85) but the expected injection of pace did not last and the Kenyans resumed control. Gebrselassie covered every move by Kirui and as the field passed the half way mark, in 13:58.79, the defending champion was sitting comfortably in the leading group, himself carefully shadowed by Hissou. At this stage Tergat had not shown at all.
At 6000m Hissou made a move - Koech, Gebresilasie, Domingos Castro of Portugal, Tergat, and two Ethiopians, Assefa Mozegebu and Habte Jifar stayed with him; but the group was down to seven. Shortly after 7000m (19:27.92) it was down to six, Jifar finding the increasing pace too hot to handle - the kilometre was run in a little over 2:38. Koech led through 8000m in 22:10.78 with Gebresilasie sitting comfortably behind him, although Tergat in fourth place also looked effortless.
Despite attempts by Hissou to take his position, Gebresilassie clung to Koech’s shoulder until they rounded the final bend before the bell. Then the Ethiopian attacked. He was gone in a flash, taking a 10 metre lead by the time he reached the straight, 20 metres by the bell. Tergat and Hissou responded but it was too late. Despite their gallant chase the Ethiopian had timed his move perfectly and came home 10 metres clear.
