Africa: Long-distance Runners Move To Finals

27 September 2000
allAfrica.com

Athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco and Algeria dominated the long-distance athletic heats at the Olympics on Wednesday.

Hicham el Guerrouj of Morocco performed to expectations when he ran the fastest time in the men's 1500m semi-final, 3:37.60s. Bernard Lagat of Kenya was second in the same heat, and Daniel Zegeye of Ethiopia third. In the other heat, Noah Ngeny of Kenya was first, and Youssef Baba took fourth place. The final will be run on Friday.

In the 5000m semi-final, Africans took the top six places in the first heat, and first, third and fourth places in the second. Qualifiers in the first heat were, in order of placing, Brahim Lahlafi of Morocco, Millon Wolde and Fita Bayissa of Ethiopia, Reda Benzine of Algeria, and Julius Gitahi and Richard Limo of Kenya. Those in the second were Ali Saidi-Sief of Algeria (1st), Dagne Alemu of Ethiopia (3rd) and David Chelule of Kenya (4th). The final takes place on Saturday.

Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia ran the fastest time in the women's 10000m, 32:06.19s. Tegla Loroupe of Kenya ran 2nd in the same heat, and Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco tenth. In the second heat, the top runners were African: Sally Barsosio of Kenya (1st), compatriot Alice Timbilil of Kenya (2nd), Berhane Adere (3rd) and Gete Wami (4th) of Ethiopia, and Elana Meyer of South Africa (7th). The final is also run on Saturday.

Three Africans run in Thursday's semi-finals for the women's 1500m, Kutre Dulecha of Ethiopia (1st in her qualifying heat), Nouria Merah-Benida of Algeria (2nd) and Seloua Ouaziz of Morocco, two in the men's 200m semi-finals - Francis Obikwelu of Nigeria (3rd) and Stephane Bukland of Mauritius (4th), and two in the women's 200m semi-final on the same day -- Mercy Nku of Nigeria, Leonie Mani of Cameroon and Louise Ayetotche of Cote d'Ivoire.

On Friday, six Africans are in the men's 3000m steeplechase final, headed by the favourite for a gold medal, Bernard Barmasai of Kenya. Others are Reuben Seroney (1st in his heat) and Wilson Boit Kipketer (2nd) of Kenya, Laid Bessou of Algeria (1st), and Ali Ezzine (2nd) and Brahim Boulami (4th) of Morocco.

In the men's pole vault competition, Okkert Brits of South Africa qualified for the final on Friday.

RELATED LINKS FROM THE OFFICIAL OLYMPICS SITE:

El Guerroouj confirms favourite for 1500m

Olympics site: North Africans prime contenders for 5000m

Sun shines on 10000m field

Fierce competition means no favourite

Kenya's Barmasai set for gold

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