Letesenbet Gidey breaks 2-day-old world record in 10,000m

Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey lowered the women’s 10,000m world record, two days after Sifan Hassan broke it on the same track in Hengelo, Netherlands.
Gidey, who on Oct. 7 broke the 5000m world record, clocked 29:01.03 at the Ethiopian Olympic Trials (yes, the Ethiopian Trials are being held in the Netherlands). She took 5.79 seconds off Hassan’s record from Sunday.
Hassan, an Ethiopian-born Dutchwoman, brought the record down 10.63 seconds from Ethiopian Almaz Ayana‘s winning time at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In total, 30.75 seconds have been taken off the world record since Rio. Before that, the dubious record of 29:31.78 set by Chinese Wang Junxia had stood since 1993.
All four men’s and women’s 5000m and 10,000m world records have been broken over the last 10 months. Runners have benefited from technology — new spikes and pacing lights on the track.
In 2019, Gidey took the 10,000m silver at the world championships. In 2020, she took 4.5 seconds off countrywoman Tirunesh Dibaba‘s 12-year-old 5000m world record.
Gidey, 23, was previously briefly expelled from school for refusing to run in physical education classes.
“I expected to run a world record,” said the 23-year-old Gidey, who was aided by Wavelight Technology and became the first woman to hold both the 5,000m and 10,000m world records since Norway’s Ingrid Kristiansen from 1986-1993.
“What a special night, I am so proud that after the 5,000 metres world record I am now the 10,000 metres world record holder as well. In this Olympic year it is the perfect preparation (for next month’s Tokyo Games).”