Ethiopia/Kenya: Africa Sweeps Marathon

1 October 2000

Africans again swept the field in a major Olympic athletic event on Sunday, taking all three medals in the men's marathon.

Gezahagne Abara of Ethiopia won the race in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 11 seconds. Eric Wainaina of Kenya took silver in 2:10:31s, and Tesfaye Tola, also of Ethiopia, won the bronze in 2:11:10s.

The gold medallist in 1996, South Africa's Josia Thugwane, came in only at 20th place.

The wins brought Africa's medal total to 32, two fewer than in Atlanta. Ethiopia was at the top of the table, with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Kenya followed with two gold, three silver and two bronze.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.