Beijing 2008: Chasing Greatness

Haile Gebrselassie is widely considered the greatest distance runner in history. Two Olympic Gold Medals, four World Championship Gold Medals, 20+ World Records, and great acumen in racing are chief reasons among many why he has been given such title. Haile has accomplished so much in the last 15 years that it has been difficult to imagine anyone ever outshining him.

For all that Haile has accomplished, there are some things Haile was not able to do, and for anyone that aspires to beat Haile in the race for the title of “the Greatest Ever,” there are opportunities to build resume even more impressive than Haile’s. Today’s 5000M race presents one such opportunity for Kenenisa Bekele. Haile was never able to achieve the revered 5000-10000 double at the Olympics. In the 100+ year history of the modern Olympics, five men and one woman runner have achieved this distinction, the latest coming from Tirunesh Dibaba yesterday.

Kenenisa has the opportunity today to distinguish himself further by achieving something that has eluded even the great Haile. And there is more. If Kenenisa was to win the 5000, he will have earned something that puts him head and shoulders above all the great Ethiopian runners of the past, including Abebe Bikila: OWNING THREE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS!