OSAKA - Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba has aborted her plans of completing a second world 5000 and 10000m double in Osaka because of stomach cramps.
OSAKA - Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba has aborted her plans of completing a second world 5000 and 10000m double in Osaka because of stomach cramps.
Yesterday Dibaba pulled out of her showdown with fellow Ethiopian and Olympic champion Meseret Defar in the 5000.
"It really bothered me in the 10000m. The stomach cramps are very painful but I have had them on and off since last year's world cross-country championships," Dibaba told reporters earlier yesterday before making her decision.
Organisers later issued a statement saying she would not be able to compete. Dibaba became the first woman to win the 5000 and 10000 at the same world championships in Helsinki in 2005 and defended her 10000 crown with a remarkable run at the weekend.
She had been left at the back of the field and looked out of the race after being accidentally tripped on lap 13, but stormed back to win gold.
"That took a lot out of me," said Dibaba. "Usually the pain only comes when I run but there is a pain on the right side of my stomach when I'm not running now."
Dibaba's absence leaves countrywoman Defar the favourite to win the 5000 after she smashed her own world record in the distance in June.
"I've prepared intensively for these world championships with the record in Oslo," said Defar. - Reuters
Dibaba gives up on double dream
OSAKA - Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba has aborted her plans of completing a second world 5000 and 10000m double in Osaka because of stomach cramps.
OSAKA - Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba has aborted her plans of completing a second world 5000 and 10000m double in Osaka because of stomach cramps.
Yesterday Dibaba pulled out of her showdown with fellow Ethiopian and Olympic champion Meseret Defar in the 5000.
"It really bothered me in the 10000m. The stomach cramps are very painful but I have had them on and off since last year's world cross-country championships," Dibaba told reporters earlier yesterday before making her decision.
Organisers later issued a statement saying she would not be able to compete. Dibaba became the first woman to win the 5000 and 10000 at the same world championships in Helsinki in 2005 and defended her 10000 crown with a remarkable run at the weekend.
She had been left at the back of the field and looked out of the race after being accidentally tripped on lap 13, but stormed back to win gold.
"That took a lot out of me," said Dibaba. "Usually the pain only comes when I run but there is a pain on the right side of my stomach when I'm not running now."
Dibaba's absence leaves countrywoman Defar the favourite to win the 5000 after she smashed her own world record in the distance in June.
"I've prepared intensively for these world championships with the record in Oslo," said Defar. - Reuters