Yomi Omogbeja (08/08/2005)

Bekele retains 10,000m crown

Defending world champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia expectedly retained his world 10,000m title in Helsinki this evening.

The 23-year-old world record holder and Olympic champion produced a characteristic sprint finish off the final bend with 200m left to win in 27:08.33.

Compatriot Sileshi Sihine, who also took silver behind Bekele at the Olympics in Athens last year, never could quite match his pace and settled once again for the silver medal in 27:08.87.

Kenya's Moses Mosop ran a lifetime best of 27:08.96 to claim the bronze medal.

Bekele said: "It is hard to keep up the speed in the first part of the race without pacemakers. That's perhaps the reason why we (Ethiopia) couldn't get all of the medals.

"The cold and windy weather made the race difficult. With that in mind I am satisfied with the time."

However, a question mark now hang over whether Bekele will now attempt the elusive distance double here in Helsinki after he confirmed that he would not contest the 5,000m again.

"I prefer 10, 000m to 5,000m, and I am not going to run the 5000m here," said Bekele.

"It is always nice to win gold whether in the Olympics or in the World Championships, but this year I am not happy because of my sorrow."

Bekele fiancee Alem Techale, 18, collapsed and died of heart failure during a routine training session in January.

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