by Alfonz Juck
Almaz Ayana after Doha 3000m, photo by PhotoRun.net
Ayana for double
ADDIS ABEBA (ETH): Almaz Ayana, who tops the world lists at both 5000m and 10,000m this season, is seeking to become the second woman in history after compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba to win Olympic gold in both distances at Rio Olympics. It became clear after Ethiopia named its powerful 33 athletes’ team (13 men and 20 women) for coming Games. London Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba is listed as reserve in the 5000 m (competing will be Senbere Teferi and Ababel Yeshaneh) as she is going to perform in 10 000 m only (added by Gelete Burka). Genzebe Dibaba will narrow her focus and compete over 1500 m (with Dawit Seyaum and Besu Sado), the event at which she holds the world record. London Olympic silver medallists Dejen Gebremeskel (5000 m, with Muktar Edris and Hagos Gebrhiwot) and Sofia Assefa (steeplechase, with Hiwot Ayalew and Etenesh Diro) will try to improve their Olympics achievement over the same distances. Former world champion Mohammed Aman is the sole Ethiopian entrant in the men’s 800m when women’s squad in this event consists Habitam Alemu, Tigist Assefa, Gudaf Tsegay. The women’s marathon trio is headed by world champion Mare Dibaba (with Tirfi Tsegaye and Tigist Tufa) when Tesfaye Abera is strongest marathoner from the men side (with Lemi Berhanu and Feyisa Lelisa). In men 1500 m Aman Wote, Mekonen Gebremedhin and Dawit Wolde. Men 10000 m trio is Yigrem Demelash, Tamirat Tola with Abadi Embaye and men steeple Tafese Seboka, Chala Bayo with Hailemariam Amare. Also two female walkers for 20 km in the team, Yehualye Belete with Askale Tiksa.
