Gudaf Tsegay has been crowned world champion over 10,000 m in a spectacular race.
The world’s best of the year led an Ethiopian triple victory at the World Championships in Budapest in 31:27.18 minutes ahead of defending champion and world record holder Letesenbet Gidey (31:28.16) and Ejgayehu Taye (31:28.31).
Olympic champion Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) was still on course for gold on the home straight, but fell about 30 meters from the finish line in a close duel with Tsegay and ended up eleventh (31:53.35).
She then made allegations against the winner. “I was pushed by the Ethiopian, there must be a video, but that’s the sport,” said Hassan on “ZDF”.
The favorites were close together until the final round. Then Hassan, who had aimed for the triple over 10,000, 5,000 and 1,500 m in Hungary’s capital and had completed the heat over the shortest distance in the morning, took the lead. In the last few meters, however, the 30-year-old staggered.
A German runner did not start in Budapest over the 25 laps of the stadium.