Ethiopian athlete, 24-year-old Almaz Ayana smashed the world record by over 14 seconds to win the gold medal in the Women’s 10,000m race in Rio. Ayana won the race, finishing in 29 minutes, 17. 45 seconds.
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot, who won a bronze in 2012 Summer Olympics, came in second place, in 29. 22 seconds; while defending champion, Tirunesh Dibaba came in third at 29 minutes, 42.56 seconds.
Britain’s 42 year old Jo Pavey was 15th place, setting a season’s best time of 31 minutes, 31.33 seconds.
“I’m so honoured to have competed at my fifth Olympics but in reality, I am getting old. It was fairly humid. I would like to have been more competitive but I gave my best and that is all I can do,’ said Pavey.
Ayana recorded the fastest 10,000m debut in history during the Ethiopian Olypmic trials held in June. She becomes the first woman to break a 10,000m world record at the Olympics.
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