News Archive

<p">There will

be a great 3,000 m final at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow. Among others Ethiopian 5,000 m

world record holder Kenenisa Bekele and former Kenyan Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Qatar), the 3,000 m steeplechase world

record holder, qualified for the final on Sunday. There were no surprises at Friday’s

prelims.

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In this

3,000 m final there will also be the fastest Kenyan track distance runner, Eliud

Kipchoge, who won his prelim in 7:52.57 minutes slightly ahead of Kenenisa

Bekele’s brother, Tariku. Third was Shaheen in 7:52.85 minutes. In fourth place

finished the Irish Ian Alistair Cragg, an athlete who beat Kenenisa Bekele

during last year’s indoor season. „I think the Bekele brothers will be working

together,“ said Shaheen, while Kenenisa Bekele explained: „The best of the

world will be in the final – I think Shaheen and Kipchoge are my toughest

competitors. It won’t be about the time, it will be about medals.” 

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Defending

champion Maria Mutola (Mozambique) won her 800m prelim in 2:02.33 minutes.

The 33 year-old has already won six 800 m World Indoor Championship titles

during her career. Mainly the two Russians Olga Kotlyarova and Natalya

Tsyganova could be threatening Mutola.

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Olympic

Champion Yuri Borzakovskiy started his home match with a prelim victory in 1:48.08

minutes. The hardest competitor of the Russian is probably the Kenyan Wilfred

Bungei, who also qualified easily for the next round on Saturday. Defending

Champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (South Africa) won his prelim and will start in

the semi finals as well. In the 1,500 m final the European Indoor Champion of

2005, Ivan Heshko (Ukraine), will try to surprise Kenyan

Daniel Kipchirchir Komen on Saturday.