Posted: June 16, 2005

Athletics: After Ostrava Win, Adere Upbeat

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

Despite a modest 15:01.78 win in the 5000 meters last week at the Golden Spike Super Grand Prix, Berhane Adere insists that she is precisely on course to successfully defend her world 10,000 meter title at August's IAAF World Championships.

"I think I was ready to run 14:28 or 14:29 when I came from Ethiopia," Adere said after her race in Ostrava, Czech Republic. "But the track was just too wet --too much water! So I said I didn't want to risk an injury, so I just ran for the victory."

With the rainy conditions precluding a fast performance, Adere toyed with the field, one that included Olympic silver medallist Isabella Ochichi, until she unleashed her decisive kick with 250 meters to go, immediately creating an insurmountable 15 meter gap. It was a kick reminiscent of the one that propelled her to victory at the 2003 World Championships in Paris in the 10,000 meters, the finest-ever women's race at the distance. At the Stade de France, Adere clocked a personal best 30:04.18, still the third fastest performance ever, while behind her, the next nine finishers achieved personal bests. Including Adere's, five national records were set.

"The (Ostrava) race was very good, and the finish was very, very good," she said, adding that she was particularly pleased with her strong closing effort. Emphasizing her displeasure with the weather, she mimicked the rain and splashing, before smiling and shrugging her shoulders in resignation. "It will be better in Rome," she said, referring to her next start at the Golden Gala Golden League meeting in the Italian capital where she will also contest the 5000. "Rome will be a much faster race."

As she did in Paris, Adere said she hopes to double in Helsinki. Two years ago, she faded to tenth in the 5000, despite running with the lead pack until the final half lap, in a race won by fellow-Ethiopian, the teenaged Tirunesh Dibaba. Helsinki holds extra significance for the 31-year-old Adere after Ethiopian selectors kept her from the Olympic team last year in favor of a much younger distance contingent that went on to capture four of the six medals in the two events.

Perhaps bearing in mind the strict discipline Ethiopian selectors demand, Adere refused to comment on her chances for being named to the squad to defend her world title, a decision that likely won't be made until the eve of competition. But she was upbeat about her chances.

"I feel very good about it," she said.