AYANA: ‘I’M READY FOR THE WORLD RECORD’ – IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE

Paris, France – Almaz Ayana says she is primed and ready to break the 5000m world record at the Meeting Areva in Paris on Saturday (4), and she will do it alone if necessary, despite the presence of her compatriot Genzebe Dibaba at the IAAF Diamond League meeting.

Ayana posted the third-fastest time in history at the Shanghai IAAF Diamond League meeting in May when she ran alone to clock 14:14.32, and tomorrow she will attack the world record of 14:11.15 set by Tirunesh Dibaba in Oslo in 2008, a goal made easier thanks to the presence of Dibaba’s younger sister Genzebe in the Stade de France field.

The younger Dibaba broke the world indoor record earlier this year and ran the season’s second-fastest outdoor time when she clocked 14:19.76 in Eugene. Yet, despite reports that the two young Ethiopians will work together, sharing the pace as they hone in on Tiruensh’s time, Ayana was adamant today that she won’t relinquish her front-running habits.

“I am ready to break the world record tomorrow,” said the 23-year-old. “I will need a pace of between 67 and 68 seconds (per lap); that would be perfect. My only fear is about the weather. If it is too warm it will be difficult.

“But it will be easier with Genzebe in the race because it is always hard to fight alone. Tomorrow we will try together.” Read more at: IAAF.org