Letesenbet Gidey is one of the stars at ISTAF Photo: picture alliance / Chai von der Laage
By Ulrike Krieger
This has never happened before! The two-time world record holder over 10,000 meters and in the half marathon, Letesenbet Gidey (25) from Ethiopia, will make a debut on Sunday (1.30 p.m.) at the ISTAF in the Olympic Stadium.
When she starts over 5000 meters, the super runner leaves nothing to chance. To make the race really fast, her team installed the so-called “wave lights” in the Olympic Stadium for the first time.
These colored LED lights act as additional pacemakers throughout the race. The light snake runs along the edge of the track so that it can be seen by the fans in the stadium – at the speed of light, so to speak.
World Association boss Sebastian Coe (66), who had the rules changed so that the light aid can be used, says: “This year it was used at 11 out of 14 Diamond League meetings. The pacemaker lights add a bit more excitement, we need that.”
Gidey, who just won silver over 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Budapest: “I’m really looking forward to finishing my track season at ISTAF.”