The first big event in track at these 2016 Games has brought upon a world record. A smashing world record at that. Ethiopian runner Almaz Ayan ran the women’s 10,000 meters in 29 minutes, 17.45 seconds. It beats the old record, set in 1993 by China’s Junxia Wang, by more than 14 seconds.
It’s Ayan’s first Olympics. She’s 24, and she’ll get two more chances to take gold in Rio. Ayan will compete in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
Kenyan Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot took silver (29:32.53), while bronze went to the woman who won this event in 2012, Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia (29:42.56).
For the Americans, a new record as well. Molly Huddle is the best woman in the history of the 10K. She broke the American record on Friday, finishing sixth and crossing the line in 30:13.17. That’s almost 10 seconds better than her time at the 2012 games (30:22.22), which set a record then.
[Source: CBS]
