25 December 2009

The reigning two-time Olympic champion over the 10,000m, Kenenisa Bekele, has his sights set on a fourth world record at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham next year.

Bekele hopes to break yet another world record at the Aviva Grand Prix on February 20, when he will race over the 3000m, the distance with which he won his sole World Indoor title in 2006.  Three of his five personal best times on the indoor circuit have all been set at the NIA.

“Five years ago (2004) I broke the world record in the 5000m at the NIA and I also broke the 2000m and two-mile records at the same arena, so it is definitely a track I enjoy running on,” said Bekele.

“Now I hope to break my fourth world record there, this time in the 3000m, however, it will be a tough record as it’s a very quick time to beat.

“I’m delighted to be returning to the National Indoor Arena to run in the Aviva Grand Prix.  It is always a great event to be part of as the crowd are very knowledgeable of their athletics.

“There is always a lot of noise in the arena which makes it so great to run in and I hope the people of Birmingham will get behind me as I look to break my fourth world record in their city.”

The three indoor world records which the Ethiopian set in Birmingham are all still standing and his familiarity with the track gives him reason to believe a fourth is on the cards.  However, the 3000m indoor world record was set 11 years ago by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in a time of 7:24.90, Bekele’s Personal Best is six seconds shy of that time.

Tickets for the Aviva Grand Prix at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham on Saturday 20th February are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk