Day One of the Athens 2004 athletics
The highlight and most anticipated event of the day was the 10 000m for men, where Ethiopian, Haile Gebrselassie, was on stage with the Heir Apparent, Kenenisa Bekele.
The Emperor is Dead – Long Live the Emperor
The 10 000m race lived up to expectations and then more.
From the gun the 2 main protagonists from the Ethiopian Express, Kenenisa Bekele and Sihine Sileshi, moved to the front.
1K was passed in 2:50.85 with the pace equating to an overall time of 28:20, however we all knew that this would not be the final time.
The pack was tightly bunched and it was only a matter of time before a mishap could occur, as often legs can become tangled. America’s Dan Browne was prominant.
2K passed in 5:45.16 with Rwanda’s Dieudonne Disi out in front, closely followed by the massive pack. Then it happened, Tanzania’s John Yuda, a contender for a top 10 finish, came tumbling down. Taking a hefty fall which would cause him the withdraw later in the race
Slowly the composure of the race began to change with Gebrselassie appearing in front as they moved towards 3K in 8:33.98. Sihine would continue providing the pace, never a harsh injection, but more an even tempo. 4k passed in 11:15.87 with Bekele at the front and after an injection of pace from the ‘heir apparent’ they reached 5K in 13:50.87
By now the pack had been split and the scenario was being set for a similar finish as at the Paris WC 10 000m in 2003. There was only the familiar sight of Africans in the Top 10 now and the rest of the World could only watch on in awe.
Sihine took over the pace duties and Bekele took control from the rear of the trio. However, we were to learn that Geb wasn’t feeling his perky self and muttered a few words to his team-mates. The Ugandian athlete, Boniface Kiprop and the Eritraen, Zersenay Tadesse, are now back in contention.
And it is as though, Kiprop realises that something is ‘a miss’, that he attempts to take the lead from Geb. However, Bekele wont allow this and assumes control at the head of affairs. Kiprop’s main concern seems to ve the fact that the Kenyans have rejoined them after losing contact earlier.
Bekele surveys the situation going through 6K in 16:34.51 and what he does next is play a major role in the weakening of Geb. He raises the tempo with a 61 second lap and Kiprop is holding on for dear life with the Kenyans losing further contact. Geb begins to show signs of wear and shortly after 7K in 19:11.92 he is passed by Kiprop.
Coming into the straight and Bekele maintained the pace, it was to be a sub 62 second lap and reason enough for Geb to feel the pace. As they re-enter the straight Bekele realsies that Geb is in trouble and both he and Sihine turn to look for their once ‘Great Emperor of the Track’, who has now dropped to 5th place.
Kiprop at the head of affairs, does not seize the opportunity to apply the pressure and they pass through 8K in 21:57.18 , this after a slow 67.46 lap. The young Ugandan will regret this later, as he had the opportunity to cement a top 3 finish and he has allowed Tadesse to edge ever closer with only 2K’s of the race to go.
Then going down the backstraight, the tempo is not raised and Geb and Tadesse join the front 3. Tadesse realises that a slowing of the pace will benefit Geb’s recovery and he goes to the front without hesitation. A move which no doubt benefitted him immensely.
Geb has no respite and is again under pressure to maintain contact. However, there is no coming back from this and the ‘Dynamic Ethiopian Duo’, Bekele and Sihine, decide it is time to stamp their total authority on the race. Kiprop responds to their surge, while Tadesse maintains one pace. The 2 Ethiopians are clear with Kiprop in pursuit down the backstraight. This will prove to be the final undoing of Kiprop, while Tadesse seems more focused after not going with the 61 second lap the Ethiopians threw in.
Sihine and Bekele gallop towards 9K with no pressure from their rivals. 9K is passed in 24:37.19. With 2 laps to go the duo are clear of their pursuers and Tadesse has caught Kiprop and is now dueling for the bronze. The lads up front have ‘dawdled’ a 64 second lap and now step up a gear. The penultimate lap is a 62 second and Bekele begins to motor away from Sihine in the most impressive manner, as bolts over the tartan to a new Olympic Record with blistering last lap in 52 seconds. Pure class.
Finish Time = 27:05.10
Sihine takes a deserved silver in 27:09.39 and Tadesse a magnificent bronze in a National Record of 27:22.57. Kiprop is well satisfied with his 4th place [ 27:25.48 ] ahead of the “Living Legend” Gebrselassie in 5th.
There are jubilant celebrations amongst the Ethiopians and their fans, however it is also the ‘swansong’ for Haile Gebrselassie and there is a taint of sadness. However, for Geb, the marathon awaits.
The 10 000m Results
1 Bekele ETH 27:05.10
2 Sihine ETH 27:09.39
3 Tadesse ERI 27:22.57
4 Kiprop UGA 27:25.48
5 Gebrselassie 27:27.70
6 Korir KEN 27:41.91
7 Mosop KEN 27:46.61
8 Sghyr FRA 27:57.09
9 Martínez ESP 27:57.61
10 Joseph TAN 28:01.94
11 Busienei 28:10.75
12 Browne USA 28:14.53
13 Kamathi 28:17.08
14 Maase NED 28:23.39
15 Abdirahman 28:26.26
16 Kifle ERI 28:29.87
17 Disi RWA 28:43.19
18 Amyne MAR 28:55.96
19 Ono JPN 29:06.50
20 Vega MEX 29:06.55
21 Galván MEX 29:38.05
RitzenheinUSA DNF
Yuda John TAN DNF
Henwood John NZL DNF
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