Ethiopian trio tipped to break 3000m in Torun on Tuesday

Addis Ababa, February 5, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian trio Selemon Barega, Getnet Wale, and Diriba Girma are among the international stars tipped to break the 3000m record when they meet on Tuesday 6 February 2024 at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland.

The latest World Indoor Tour Gold meeting at Arena Torun promises to be a raucous occasion as global medallists descend on the venue that will host the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

In that regard, the men’s 3000m is being billed as a world record attempt by meeting organisers, with all eyes on the aforementioned trio of Ethiopians with proven pedigree. Olympic 10,000m and world indoor 3000m champion Selemon Barega will be looking to re-assert his status in Olympic year with victory and a quick time.

But, in compatriot Getnet Wale, Barega faces the fourth fastest indoor performer of all time, his best being 7:24.98 set three years ago in Lievin. Wale was fourth in the steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympic Games and at the World Championships in Oregon a year later.

Diriba Girma, younger brother of world indoor record-holder Lamecha Girma, is also in the line-up in Torun. He is no slouch either, having finished fourth over 3000m at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali.

Meanwhile, the women’s 1500m is loaded with middle distance talent, headed by Ethiopia’s world road mile champion Diribe Welteji. She will be joined by fellow Ethiopian Hirut Meshesha, the world indoor bronze medallist. World indoor 800m silver medallist Freweyni Hailu and 2019 world champion Halimah Nakaayi are also likely to contend.