BEIJING (AFP) — Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia produced her trademark electric last lap to win the women's 10,000 metres gold medal at the Olympics on Friday.
Dibaba set a new Olympic record time of 29 minutes 54.66 seconds in perfect conditions at a packed National Stadium, setting herself well on the way for a 5000 and 10,000m double in Beijing.
"I have won gold in the world championships many times but I was expecting something really special at the Olympics and I got it. I am very delighted," said the 23-year-old.
Dibaba added a decision on doing the double was still up in the air.
"I haven't decided whether I will run the 5,000m yet," she said, adding she was still eyeing a new world record in the event.
"I'm hoping to break the world record but not soon. Maybe next year if I find the right track."
The reigning double world 10,000m champion had been happy to follow the race leaders for all but one of the 25 laps.
But as soon as the bell for the final lap sounded, Dibaba opened up and pulled away with ease from silver medallist Elvan Abeylegesse, the Ethiopian-born runner representing Turkey.
American Shalane Flanagan won a shock bronze in 30:22.22, the US team's first medal in this event since Lynn Jennings's bronze in the Barcelona Games in 1992.
Kenyan-born Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat led through the first 17 laps, with Kenyan duo Lucy Wangui and Linet Chepkwemoi Masai, Ethiopian Mestawet Tufa, Abeylegesse and Dibaba happy to sit on her shoulder.
As the main pack fell to seven with eight laps to go, Abeylegesse kicked past Kiplagat and upped the speed.
Her move had the desired effect as runners drastically fell off the pace, and with six laps to go, the race became a straight duel between Abeylegesse and Dibaba.
As the bell went, Dibaba stretched her legs and by 100 metres had built up a comfortable lead on her former compatriot.
The Ethiopian, who this season has won the world cross-country title and in June set a 5,000m world record, sprinted home to finish more than a second in front, having lapped tiring runners on her way to gold.
For Flanagan, the bronze medal was something she could not even have contemplated three days ago.
"I had food poisoning on Tuesday in our training camp," said the 27-year-old US champion who only made her debut in the 10,000m in May.
"It was not pretty for 48 hours. The US Olympic Committee got me back to the hydration levels I needed. I didn't know whether my legs would be under me."
Flanagan revealed her coach John Cook had recommended that she zoned out for the majority of the race.
"My coach said to fall asleep for as many laps as you can and wake up when you feel the finish line," she beamed.
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