Diamond League report: Genzebe Dibaba shatters 1,500m world record

MONACO, July 17, 2015 (AFP) – Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba set a new world record in the women’s 1500m at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 17. Dibaba, 24, clocked 3: 50:07 to shatter one of the most controversial
records held in recent times — 3:50.46 run by China’s Yunxia Qu in Beijing in 1993.

The world record and other quick times in the distance were mainly run by Chinese athletes in the 1990’s under the guidance of controversial coach Ma Junren. Six of Junren’s athletes were dropped from China’s 27-strong team for
failing dope tests ahead of the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Victory for Dibaba, the two-time world indoor champion, never looked in doubt, aided by two pace-setters in perfect running conditions. Dibaba pulled away at the bell lap picking up the pace and in the last stretch, it was evident she was going to set a record. Sifan Hussan came in behind her running 3:56:05 with Shannon Rowbury in third with a 3:56:29 time.

This record is, remarkably, her fourth currently held, but first outdoors. She also holds the world records for the indoor 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m events, carrying on a family tradition that includes elder sister Tirunesh holding the world record in the outdoor 5,000m.