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Genzebe Dibaba shatters indoor 2 mile record at Birmingham Grand Prix
Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia after winning the women’s indoor 2-mile race. PHOTO/Getty Images
(Reuters) – Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba ran the fastest indoor 2-mile ever as the world indoor champion continued her whirlwind season at the British Grand Prix in Birmingham on Saturday.
Dibaba, who broke world records at 1,500 meters and 3,000 meters earlier this year, clocked 9 minutes, 00.48 seconds to smash compatriot Meseret Defar’s mark of 9:06.26 set in 2009.
“I am very delighted because to break 3 world records was what I had planned and I am very happy that has happened now,” Dibaba told reporters after the 2-mile, a distance that is not recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for record purposes.
“In the middle of the race I felt a bit weak and tired, but with the help of the crowd and all the buzzing I was able to gain momentum and get the record.”
Britain’s James Dasaolu sprinted to the year’s fastest 60 meter, clocking 6.47 seconds in the preliminaries, appearing to injure his left hamstring during the final, which he won in 6.50.
“My left leg felt tight at about 40-50 metres. I think it’s cramp, but I will go and see the doctors and see what they say,” Dasaolu, a medal hope for next month’s world indoor championships, was quoted as saying by the BBC.
Ivorian world silver medallist Murielle Ahoure surprisingly edged Jamaican Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the women’s race as both were timed in 7.10 seconds.
