Kenenisa Bekele has retained his world 10,000 metres title in Helsinki. The Ethiopian world record holder and Olympic champion crossed the finishing line in 27 minutes, 8.33 seconds. Compatriot Sileshi Sihine finished in 27:08.87, taking silver behind Kenenisa, as he did in the Athens Olympics last year. Yesterday’s victories follow the success of Ethiopia’s runners in the Women’s 10,000 metres, where Tirunesh Dibaba, Berhane Adere and Tirunesh’s sister, Ejegayehy, took the top three positions.

The defending champion has also been selected for the 5,000 metres on Thursday, although he has yet to confirm that he will run. If he does run, he stands a good chance of clinching the long-distance double at the 10th IAAF World Athletics Championships.

"I don't know yet, it is very difficult this year," Kenenisa said of the possibility of him running in the 5,000 metres. “It wasn’t easy tonight with the rain. It was a difficult race but it is very nice to win two World Championships. Thank God I won.”

Fellow Ethiopians Abede Dinkesa Negera and Gebre-egziabher also took part, finishing in seventh and fifteenth places with 27:13.9 and 27:53.19 respectively.

ENDS