Several world and Olympic champions met with the media in Monaco today on the eve of the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016. Here is a sampling of what some of them had to say.
OLYMPIC 10,000M CHAMPION AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER ALMAZ AYANA
On her first experiences and progression in athletics:
When I started running I began on the flat, not in the steeplechase, with the 5000. But when I came to Addis I was pressured to try the steeplechase. And I didn’t like running the steeplechase at all. I was not very good for many years.
Then I switched to the events I like the most like the three (thousand) and five (thousand). I changed to what I wanted to run.
On her plans for 2017:
This year I broke the (10,000m) record, and next year I want to improve my performance in all events. And hopefully to run again for my country.
Her favorite event:
The 3000 is too short for me. In the 5000 I want to try and break the world record. For me now the 10,000 is my favourite event (laughs).
WORLD 1500M CHAMPION AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER GENZEBE DIBABA
On her pre-Olympic preparations this year:
I was determined, I was training well, indoor and outdoor. But a few months before Rio I became injured. Just to compete was not easy for me. So I’m very happy with the silver medal in the 1500 metres. Just to be able to race was great for me.
On running indoors:
What’s special for me about indoors is that we run the indoor season after we take a rest, so I’m fresh. I’m also good on the turns – I’m very fast on the curve, so that really helps me indoors.
On her plans for 2017:
It’s going to be a year that I just want to improve my performances and just do something good again. The 1500 is still my distance. But if I can I’ll try to double (at the 2017 world championships). But that decision will come later.
DISTANCE RUNNING LEGEND HAILE GEBRSELASSIE (ETH)
On the relationship and rivalry between Ethiopia and Kenya:
One thing we can’t forget, and what I always say to Kenyans, ‘Without Ethiopians, there would be no Kenyans. And without Kenyans, there would be no Ethiopians.’ We need each other. We improve because of each other. We have a great relationship off the track, outside sports.
iaaf