The Rio Olympic track and field competition began with a world record, as Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia shattered the world record in the women’s 10,000-meter race at Olympic Stadium with a time of 29 minutes, 17.45 seconds.
Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot of Kenya was second in 29:32.53, with Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia third in 29:42.56.
The previous world record of 29:31.78 was set by Wang Junxia of China in 1993. Dibaba held the previous Olympic record of 29:54.66, set when she won the 10,000 meter at the 2008 Beijing Games.
American Molly Huddle was sixth, but set an American record in 30:13.17, with Emily Infeld 11th in a personal-best time of 31:26.94. The third American entrant, Marielle Hall, was 33rd with a time of 32:39.32.
In other morning action, Charles Jock of San Diego and UC Irvine, didn’t advance out of his first-round heat in the men’s 800. Boris Berian, who trains at Big Bear Lake, and Clayton Murphy advanced. American shot putters Michelle Carter and Raven Saunders advanced to Friday night’s final but Felisha Johnson did not advance.
