Long distance running in Olympics has long been mostly dominated by the North Africans - especially from Kenya, Ethiopia and Morocco. They have left their mark in long distance races of 5000 meter, 10000 meter, 3000 meter Steeplechase and of course the Marathon.
Two notable African Athletes who come to my mind are Miruts Yifter of Ethiopia and the Moroccan Said Aouita. Yifter from the impoverished nation of Ethiopia won a Bronze in 1972. He missed 1976 in Montreal as Ethiopia... boycotted the Olympics.
Two notable African Athletes who come to my mind are Miruts Yifter of Ethiopia and the Moroccan Said Aouita. Yifter from the impoverished nation of Ethiopia won a Bronze in 1972. He missed 1976 in Montreal as Ethiopia... boycotted the Olympics.
Miruts dazzled in 1980 Olympics by taking 2 golds in 5000 and 10000 events, when he was at least 36 year old (there was dispute about his actual age, some say he was close to 40 at that time).
Said Aouita won the 5000m Gold in 1984, LA. He came into 1988 games in Seoul as an overwhelming favorite. For some strange reason he switched to the middle distance running (Africans are not so good in Middle distance) and managed to win a bronze in 800m.
Not to mention, several Kenyans have won laurels in long distance running, which includes the 26 mile plus Marathon. So what's the secret sauce behind the success of North Africans in long distance running.
These slim, lanky athletes with long limbs are uniquely gifted with long distance running abilities. Many attribute this to their genes inherited from their forefathers, who negotiated in the hostile terrains surrounding the high altitudes in the vicinity of Mount Kilimanjaro, their in built stamina and endurance passed to the next generation. As usual, Africans are expected to hold the fort of long distance running - their forte.
Said Aouita won the 5000m Gold in 1984, LA. He came into 1988 games in Seoul as an overwhelming favorite. For some strange reason he switched to the middle distance running (Africans are not so good in Middle distance) and managed to win a bronze in 800m.
Not to mention, several Kenyans have won laurels in long distance running, which includes the 26 mile plus Marathon. So what's the secret sauce behind the success of North Africans in long distance running.
These slim, lanky athletes with long limbs are uniquely gifted with long distance running abilities. Many attribute this to their genes inherited from their forefathers, who negotiated in the hostile terrains surrounding the high altitudes in the vicinity of Mount Kilimanjaro, their in built stamina and endurance passed to the next generation. As usual, Africans are expected to hold the fort of long distance running - their forte.
No comments:
Post a Comment