Internet Desk: Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia obliterated a 23-year-old world record in the women’s 10,000 meters on Friday, punctuating the opening to the track and field competition at these Olympics with one of the most dominant wins ever in the event.
Ayana, 24, won her first Olympic gold with an untouchable performance of 29 minutes, 17.45 seconds, shattering the previous world best by more than 14 seconds. It was only the second-ever 10,000 meter race for Ayana, who said later she was nervous to step up to track’s longest distance and was merely racing to win rather than aiming for a new record.
With her win, Ayana unseated her fellow countrywoman, the two-time defending Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba, from the top of the podium, though Dibaba ran a personal best and finished third. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya took silver with a national record, finishing 15 seconds behind Ayana.
In all, Friday’s 10,000 meters was one of the best races in history at the distance, witheight national or area records set in the race, and 18 women in the field of 37 setting personal bests. Molly Huddle, the top American, finished sixth in 30:13.17, breaking an eight-year-old national record.
After her record she insisted, “‘My doping is my training and my doping is Jesus. Nothing otherwise, I am crystal clear’. Ayana’s breathtaking feat comes at a difficult time in athletics, with allegations of doping leading to some Russian sport stars being banned from the Games in Rio.