(30/05/2005)

Ethiopia’s World and Olympic 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele has failed in his bid to lower his own World 10,000m record.

The 22-year-old attempt to break his world record time of 26:20.71 set in Ostrava last year was hampered by windy weather at the Thales FBK Games - IAAF Grand Prix - in Hengelo, The Netherlands.

Bekele finished in 26:28.72, more than 8 seconds behind his world record time, but by far the fastest time in the world this year and the fourth fastest clocking on the all-time list.

Bekele who has earlier said he was in World record-breaking shape during the week, said after the race "It was too cold and there was too much wind".

Fellow Ethiopian Abebe Dinkessa, 21, came second in a new personal best of 26:30.74, making him the fifth fastest runner in history.