Ethiopia sweeps podium in women's 5000m

Ethiopia swept women's 5,000 meters final on the last day of the Beijing athletics world championships Sunday when world leader Almaz Ayana took the title in championships record time.

Ayana was crowned in 14 minutes and 26.83 seconds to put a wedge in Dibaba family's tradition in this event where Tirunesh Dibaba held world record in 14:11.15. Senbere Teferi, 20, took silver in 14:44.07 in her first senior world championships.

"I had to win the gold medal. It was a hard race, a hard competition in general," said Ayana. "I want to thank my husband for the hard training in the last weeks. He loves me and he made it possible for me to win the gold and to achieve a championships recrod. Now I am the 5000m champion."

"It is great for our country that we won gold, silver and bronze," she said.

Tirunesh's younger sister Genzebe Dibaba finished third in 14:44.14 on Sunday but she already had a title after winning 1,500m on Tuesday.

"I am not deceived about this bronze medal. My country won three medals. I can only be pleased about this. It was really a hard race," said Dibaba.

She admitted that a tight competition timetable took a toll on her performance today.

"I had so many races recently and after the 1,500m final my injury on the left foot started. I have a heel spur which hurts a lot. The race was so tough for me because of this injury. My shape was at its best," she said.

Kenyan Viola Jelagat Kibiwot finished fourth for the second time in a row.

Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes have filled the top four places in the women's 5,000m at the IAAF World Championships for the past 10 years.

Source: XINHUA