Yomi Omogbeja (02/07/2005)

Ethiopia’s double World record holder and Olympic 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele cruised to win the 5000m, but failed to lower his own world record at the Meeting Gaz de France - TDK/IAAF Golden League meeting in Paris St-Denis.

Bekele finished in 12:40.18, less than three seconds behind his world record time, 12:37.35 set in Hengelo last year, but by far the fastest time in the world this year and the fourth best in history.

Dinkessa Negera Abebe led in other Ethiopians in second place with 12:55.58, Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam  was third in 12:58.60 and Tarilu Bekele was fourth in 12:59.03.

Uganda’s Boniface Kiprop, who established a national record with 12:59.19 was fifth.

This is the second time Kenenisa Bekele will attempt to lower his own world record, but was undone by windy conditions this year.

The 23-year-old attempt to break his 10,000m 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 last month.

Bekele who had earlier said he was in World record-breaking shape before that race in Hengelo, later said after the race "It was too cold and there was too much wind".

World Leader

Kenya's World 5000m bronze medallist Edith Masai took apart her countrywoman and Olympic 5000m runner-up Isabella Ochichi to win the women's 5,000 metres in a season's world lead time of 8:31.27.

Masai, 38, won in the final straight with Ochichi second in 8:33.59 and Britain's Joanne Pavey third in 8:34.66.

Daniel Kipchirchir Komen of Kenya won a close fought men's 1,500 metres in 3:30.01, ahead of former Kenyan Bernard Lagat of the USA who clocked 3:30.64.

Ghana's Aziz Zakari continued his impressive form this season by edging out Olympic 100m silver medallist Francis Obikwelu of Portugal to win the men's 100m in a time of 10.04 seconds. Jamaica's Dwight Thomas was third in 10.11.

Nigeria's Uchenna Emedolu and Deji Aliu came in 6th and 7th with 10.25 and 10.29 seconds respectively.